The Cardinals optioned Fermin to Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

With Brendan Donovan (groin) back from the injured list and batting leadoff Friday in Milwaukee, Fermin will head back to Memphis. Fermin has slashed .273/.360/.386 with one home run, four RBI, three runs scored and a 6:7 BB:K across 51 plate appearances at the big-league level this season.

The Cardinals activated Donovan (groin) from the 10-day injured list Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Donovan missed just under a month of action with a left groin strain, but he's ready to go after playing two rehab games with Double-A Springfield. The 28-year-old will regain his role as the Cardinals' everyday second baseman, which will likely push Thomas Saggese back to the bench most days.

Vargas is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Minnesota.

Vargas will yield to Tim Tawa at first base on Friday for a second straight game. Vargas has six hits in his last 17 at-bats, a stretch that spans six games.

Marte (foot) is batting second and playing second base Friday against Minnesota.

Marte has been dealing with a bruised right foot he picked up Wednesday, and after testing out the injury pregame, he's part of the starting lineup. Marte is 6-for-35 (.171) with two home runs and a 4:6 BB:K in September.

Marte (foot) is expected to be in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Friday's game against Minnesota, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

Marte departed Wednesday's game against the Giants with a bruised right foot. After X-rays came back negative, manager Torey Lovullo said he believed Marte would be available Friday. Marte remains on track to start that contest, but a determination won't be made until he tests his foot injury before the game.

Garcia is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Miami.

The left-handed-swinging Garcia will often sit out against lefty hurlers, and that will be the case here as the Marlins start southpaw Ryan Weathers. Nasim Nunez will get the call at second base for the Nationals.

Stott is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

The left-handed-hitting Stott made a rare start against a lefty Tuesday, but he will retreat back to the bench Thursday as the Mets send southpaw David Peterson to the bump. Weston Wilson is at second base for the Phillies in what will be just his fourth-ever start at the keystone at the big-league level.

Schmitt went 2-for-4 with a double in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Schmitt singled in the fifth and added a two-bagger in the ninth, marking his third multi-hit performance in September. Over eight outings this month, the 26-year-old infielder is batting .296 with four RBI, three runs scored, two doubles and a home run in 31 plate appearances, Overall, he's slashing .244/.311/.407 with 35 RBI, 28 runs scored, 14 doubles and 10 long balls across 300 plate appearances this season.

Vargas entered Wednesday's game in seventh inning to play second base after Ketel Marte left with a foot injury. Vargas singled in his lone plate appearance.

Imaging on Marte's foot came back negative, and the Diamondbacks are hoping he'll be ready to go for the series in Minnesota that begins Friday. Vargas remains on hand if needed, as are Blaze Alexander and Tim Tawa.

Tawa started at first base and went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 5-3 win over San Francisco.

Tawa helped Arizona build an early lead with a run-producing single in the second inning and then scored the team's final run in the sixth. He's made two straight starts -- Tawa started in center field against a left-hander Tuesday. Wednesday's start at first was just his 11th in the pros, and he made a nice pick on a throw to keep Luis Matos off the bases. With MLB.com reporting that Tyler Locklear (elbow) is expected to miss the rest of the season, Tawa (against lefties) and Ildemaro Vargas (righties) will likely share first base going forward. Tawa also gives manager Torey Lovullo a right-handed bat to use against southpaws.