Matt Adams said he is “very, very close” to being able to play first base again for the St. Louis Cardinals rather than pinch-hitting.
Adams, 27, has only played in 27 games this season. Ever since he returned from a torn quad, the slugger has three pinch-hit appearances. His last one came Sunday as the Cardinals avoided a four-game sweep to the Cincinnati Reds. Adams delivered a two-run homer for his fifth of the season.
Matt Adams says he's "very, very close" to playing first base -- perhaps this week in Milwaukee. #STLCards https://t.co/ey6iXKzjWx
— FOX Sports Midwest (@FSMidwest) September 14, 2015
The Cardinals only have a 2 1/2-game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates for first place in the NL Central. Adams said he could be playing first again during their upcoming series with the Milwaukee Brewers that begins on Tuesday. They need his bat, especially if he’s healthy as they want to hold onto the division lead.
This season has been tough for Adams as he has a .252 BA but it is a small sample. The last two seasons, he had an average in the .280s while having a combined 32 HR with 119 RBI.