by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams was back in the starting lineup Saturday against the Rockies, the first time he has been there since returning from the disabled list Tuesday.
Adams went 1 for 4 with an RBI single in the fifth inning. His batting average fell to .467 in a 3-0 win.
Before the game, manager Mike Matheny spoke to MLB.com about how difficult it is to find Adams playing time coming off an injury in a crowded lineup.
"It's not that easy, but he can hit," Matheny said. "He was in a nice spot when he got hurt. He was swinging the bat well. It's a challenge for him, but I want to get him back in there as much as I can."
Matt Adams comes off DL
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/7/2013) The Cardinals activated first baseman Matt Adams (oblique) from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday. He was not in the starting lineup against the Cubs, however.
Adams went 3 for 12 (.250) with two RBI in three rehab games.
Matt Adams starts rehab assignment
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) As expected, Cardinals first basemen Matt Adams (oblique) started a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield Saturday night. Adams went 0 for 3 with a strikeout in his first game with Cardinals.
Adams, who strained his oblique back on April 22 during batting practice, is expected to join the team in Chicago Tuesday, the first day he is eligible to come off the disabled list.
Matt Adams' rehab outing delayed
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (5/4/2013) Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams, on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique injury, had his rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield postponed Friday due to rain.
Adams, who is eligible to come off the DL Tuesday, is expected to start his rehab assignment Saturday, weather permitting.
Matt Adams stuck in roster squeeze
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/3/2013) There is no denying that Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams was hitting the ball well before his injury, as a .542 batting average and three home runs in just 24 at-bats more than speaks for itself. He is set to return from his oblique injury in Week 6 (May 6-12), and may represent a tantalizing starting option for some owners.
Unfortunately, his 24 at-bats came sprinkled throughout the course of 18 days, and there is little indication that more playing time is going to become available upon his return. As our Scott White notes in his Hit Parade column, Adams does not make much sense as a starting option right now. Given the makeup of the Cardinals' roster, Adams is likely to get lost in the shuffle, no matter how big a stick he might swing.
Matt Adams aiming for Tuesday return
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (5/2/2013) Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams is aiming to return from the disabled list Tuesday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Adams has been sidelined with a strained oblique, and will go on a rehab assignment this weekend. He believes he'll be ready to go Tuesday, when he's eligible to come off the DL. Adams added, "seeing live pitching will really, really help. I have the opportunity, and that will let me get my timing down and be ready to go Tuesday."
Matt Adams set for rehab action Friday
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams (oblique) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield Friday, MLB.com reports. He can be activated from the 15-day disabled list as early as next Tuesday against the Cubs.
Matt Adams nearing rehab assignment
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/30/2013) Cardinals manager Mike Matheny told MLB.com Tuesday that Matt Adams is close to heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment.
Adams has not experienced any tightness in his oblique while swinging and has been throwing and fielding ground balls since Saturday.
"Everything he's doing, he's getting pretty good responses," Matheny said. "So it looks like he'll try to play some games later in the week, and we'll see how he looks through the weekend and have him possibly for Tuesday."
Matt Adams makes way to disabled list
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/26/2013) The Cardinals placed first baseman Matt Adams on the disabled list Friday with a strained right oblique, the team announced. The move is retroactive to April 22 and there is no clear timetable for his return to the lineup.
Adams, who has already missed three games because of the issue, was replaced on the active roster by third baseman Jermaine Curtis. He is hitting .542 with three homers and eight RBI this season.
Matt Adams likely bound for DL
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/26/2013) The Cardinals are expected to make a decision soon about whether to place first baseman Matt Adams (oblique) on the disabled list following his MRI exam Thursday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Adams hasn't played since Sunday because of a strained right oblique, but the issue is considered serious enough that it could keep him sidelined for at least another week.
Matt Adams will have oblique re-evaluated Thursday
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/25/2013) Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams will meet with the team doctor to re-evaluate his oblique injury, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Adams hasn't played since April 21 but has shown signs he's ready to return soon. He was able to take light swings Wednesday but probably won't be able to go at game-speed until this weekend. The team is being cautious so that Adams doesn't do further damage to the area. At the earliest, Adams could return to action during the weekend.
Matt Adams hopes to avoid DL
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/23/2013) Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams remained out of the lineup Tuesday against the Nationals but told MLB.com that the tightness in his right oblique should not require a stint on the disabled list.
The 24-year-old has been cleared to throw and field ground balls but is not swinging a bat.
"The tightness is still there, but it's definitely improved since [Monday]," Adams said. "I'm just following orders. Whenever I'm told to swing, I'll try to get down there and take some swings."
With an off-day Thursday, St. Louis could keep Adams out until Friday's series opener against the Pirates.
"He's going to continue to do some of the rehab, and we'll still move cautiously forward with him," manager Mike Matheny said. "We want to be on the front end of it. I think [the training staff is] pretty happy with where he is and being able to get to it before it was something of greater concern."
Matt Adams dealing with tight oblique
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/22/2013) MLB.com reports Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams was scratched from Monday's lineup against the Nationals after feeling tightness in his right oblique during pregame.
Carlos Beltran replaced him in the lineup.
Adams is batting .542 (13 for 24) with three homers and eight RBI.
Matt Adams back in Cardinals' lineup
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/22/2013) Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams is in the team's lineup for the second consecutive day Monday.
Manager Mike Matheny has talked about getting Adams more playing time, but it has to come at the expense of either Allen Craig, Matt Holliday or Carlos Beltran. Beltran will get the day off Monday. Adams will play first base and bat fifth.
Matt Adams not seeing increased playing time
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/22/2013) Despite his hot start, Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams is still having trouble finding his way into the starting lineup.
Adams has only started two games since April 15, when manager Mike Matheny said he was going to try and get Adams more playing time. With Allen Craig, Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran in the team's normal lineup, there's not a logical place for Adams to get regular playing time. He is capable of giving all three guys an occasional rest, and that could be useful.
Both Beltran and Craig have suffered injuries in the past, so the occasional day off won't hurt. If either guy goes down for an extended period of time, Adams would likely become a popular pickup in Fantasy leagues.
Matt Adams sees first hitless start
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (4/19/2013) Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams suffered his first hitless start Wednesday, as he went 0 for 3 with a strikeout against the Pirates.
Still, Adams is hitting a robust .524/.565/1.048 in 21 at-bats across seven games. Although Adams remains unlikely to usurp a starting spot from Carlos Beltran or Allen Craig, both have an extensive injury histories and could see regular days off, giving Adams a spot in the lineup.
Additionally, Adams is likely to DH when the Cardinals play in American League parks, but the club doesn't have a road interleague series until May 27 against Kansas City.
Matt Adams getting more intriguing
by Al Melchior | Data Analyst (4/15/2013)Matt Adams has started all of four games this season, and he is out of the lineup Monday, so there are few tangible signs that the Cardinals are committed to providing him with regular playing time.
That makes Adams someone you can still ignore in standard mixed leagues, but he has the talent to be a worthwhile pickup in deeper mixed leagues and NL-only formats.
Even if Adams just eeks out 300 at-bats, his counting stats (aside from steals) could be useful to Rotisserie owners in deeper leagues. For example, I needed a replacement for Aaron Hicks in the Tout Wars 15-team mixed league, as he was providing little value despite regular playing time. The free agent utility options were of the ilk of Nate Schierholtz, Raul Ibanez, Daniel Nava and J.D. Martinez. While each of these players could wind up with more plate appearances than Adams, none has Adams' potential for big power and run production numbers.
Should Adams find a way to get regular playing time, he not only pays off in a big way in deeper leagues, but he becomes a standard mixed league option. With legitimate power, that could happen, but even with limited playing time, Adams should produce enough to merit a deep league pickup.
Cardinals trying to find time for Matt Adams
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/15/2013) At this rate, the only issue surrounding Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams is finding the rookie slugger sufficient playing time. Adams continued his recent torrid run Sunday with a homer in his third consecutive game and is now boasting a sizzling .611 batting average.
Manager Mike Matheny provided Adams the start at first, which required Allen Craig to shift to right field and leave Carlos Beltran on the bench -- a seemingly elaborate plan to keep his bat in the lineup. He said the plan is to give Adams at least two starts per week.
"It's something of a (target) to keep working to make sure he gets a couple a week or else we shouldn't have him here," Matheny told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch before Sunday's game. "If he's playing well and we can't get him a couple starts, then he's in the wrong place. It's going to be a challenge to continue to get him those starts and still keep the other guys going in the right direction."
Matt Adams stays hot with another home run
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (4/14/2013)Matt Adams hit his third home run for the Cardinals Sunday against Milwaukee.
Adams continues to scorch when given playing time. He's now 11 for 18 with three home runs (1.222 slugging percentage) in five games. It's unclear if he can work his way into the Cardinals' lineup full time, but the St. Louis lineup is versatile enough that Mike Matheny can find ways to work him into the order at least semi-regularly if Adams keeps making noise with the bat.
Matt Adams gets another start at first base
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (4/14/2013) The Cardinals will give Matt Adamsanother start at first base Sunday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Adams is hitting a robust 9 for 14 with two home runs, two doubles and seven RBI. Although he's unlikely to crack the everyday lineup without an injury, there should be semi-regular chances for playing time. Carlos Beltran will likely need regular days off given his age, Allen Craig will likely get regular days off given his injury history, and David Freese is fresh off an injury and could see some rest early on in the season.
Matt Adams stars in spot start
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013) Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams made the most out of a spot start Wednesday against the Reds, as he went 2 for 3 with a homer, a run scored and three RBI.
Adams was in the lineup for Allen Craig, who was getting his first rest of the season. Adams has been known for his power in the minor leagues -- he hit 72 home runs in 1299 plate appearances from 2010-2012. If he can hit at anywhere near that level in the major leagues, it makes the Cardinals' lineup -- and particularly their bench -- even scarier. He could be an option at DH for the Cardinals during interleague series as well.
Matt Adams drives in two for Cardinals
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/8/2013) Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams provided an offensive spark during Sunday's series finale against the Giants.
Adams launched a ground-rule double that scored two runs in the fourth. He also added a single in the fifth and seventh as he finished 3 for 4 with a run scored and two RBI in a 14-3 victory. Adams is hitting .600 (6 for 10) in his first two starts.
Matt Adams collects three hits in his first start
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/4/2013) Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams had three hits in his first start of the season Wednesday.
Adams got the start at first, causing Allen Craig to move to the outfield to begin the game. Adams collected three singles, but was removed for Mitchell Boggs as the game went deeper into extras.
Matt Adams receives first start
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013) Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams made his first start of the season in Wednesday's series finale against the Diamondbacks. He batted sixth with right-hander Brandon McCarthy on the mound for Arizona.
Adams hit .288 during spring training with three homers and 17 RBI.
Cardinals have 1B, RF options
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/27/2013) Cardinals manager Mike Matheny moved first baseman Allen Craig from first base to right field for Wednesday's spring game against the Nationals, opening a spot for Matt Adams to play at first base. According to MLB.com, this could be the alignment Matheny chooses during the regular season when right fielder Carlos Beltran sits out.
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/26/2013) I agree with the Cardinals' decision to stick slugger Matt Adams on their bench instead of sending him back to the minors. He has nothing left to prove down on the farm and the team could benefit from his bat off the bench.
It's unfortunate, however, he's not seeing regular playing time. If that were the case, then Adams would be a Fantasy sleeper because of his power potential. Though, it might not be such a bad idea for NL-only or Fantasy owners in very deep mixed leagues to perhaps stash Adams on your bench. With Carlos Beltran and Allen Craig not exactly being models of durability, there's a few scenarios where Adams could be just an injury away from significant playing time.
Matt Adams added to bench
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/26/2013) With the Cardinals in search of a power bat off the bench, the team informed first baseman Matt Adams that he will be on the opening day roster, barring an unexpected injury or roster move. "Right now, we have plans for that to happen," manager Mike Matheny told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Entering play Tuesday, Adams has generated a .316 batting average with three homers and 17 RBI, the second-highest total in the Grapefruit League.
Matt Adams could land roster spot
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/17/2013) Seemingly impressed by his strong spring performance, the Cardinals are considering carrying first baseman Matt Adams on the opening day roster, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Adams, who made his major-league debut last May, has been scorching this spring and entered Sunday hitting .342 with three homers and 11 RBI.
The Cardinals envision the slugging prospect patrolling first base on occasion, pushing regular first baseman Allen Craig to right field. That would then allow the team to provide a respite for its veteran outfield while keeping a combination of Matt Holliday, Carlos Beltran or Craig in the middle of the lineup.
Adams hits towering home run
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (2/26/2013) Cardinals prospect Matt Adams had a long day on Tuesday. Adams arrived at the Cardinals' spring training facility early to receive treatment on his left knee, which has been bothering him, reports MLB.com. That went well so Adams traveled for a road game against Boston in Grapefruit League action. He was inserted into the game as a pinch-hitter and ultimately hit a towering home run and walked with the bases loaded. "He's got a nice stroke working right now," skipper Mike Matheny said. "Don't want to leave him in too long, though."
Cards trying to get Adams ABs
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/4/2013) During a chat on ESPN.com, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak hinted it might be difficult for first base prospect Matt Adams to force his way into the team's starting lineup. "I definitely think it will be a trick to get him playing time," Mozeliak said. "No doubt Mike Matheny has his challenges. I don't think Matt has a ton to prove at Triple-A, so hopefully we can find a way to get him some major-league at bats."
