The St. Louis Cardinals have received some bad news this afternoon, as starting first basemen Matt Adams has been placed on the 15-Day Disabled List.
#STLCards place 1B Matt Adams (strained right quadriceps) on 15-day DL. Recall C Ed Easley (#23) from Memphis (AAA).
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 27, 2015
Adams, 26, was pulled in the 5th inning on Tuesday, after straining his right quad while running out a double against the Diamondbacks. Manager Mike Matheny does not seem particularly optimistic about a quick return, displaying a “high level of concern” regarding the severity of the injury and the time it could cost Adams, according to Cardinals beat writer, Jenifer Langosch. Indeed, it could be very serious:
Severity of Adams' injury is high, tear greater than Pham's. Could necessitate a surgery. Significant time to miss, likely #cardinals
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) May 27, 2015
With this trip to the disabled list, Matt Adams has now officially been injured and missed time in all four of his major league seasons (2012-2015).
On the year, Matt Adams hasn’t hit particularly well, .243/.281/.375, but he has been saddled with a BABIP (.292) that is much lower than his major league career average (.330). Indeed, he was an above average offensive player over the past few years for the Cardinals, who will definitely feel his absence.
Mark Reynolds pinch ran for Adams on Tuesday, and will be the primary replacement at first base, until Adams returns. Matheny believe that Reynolds has played well enough to take over, but he is only hitting .250/.314/.406 on the year, himself, most of that in a strict platoon role. In conjunction with the roster move, the Cardinals have recalled catcher Ed Easley from AAA Memphis, to round out their bench.
Injuries continue to affect the Cardinals’ roster – which is already missing Adam Wainwright, John Jay, Jordan Walden and Marco Gonzales, but they have not let it show in the standings. After winning their third game in a row on Wednesday, the Cardinals stand at 30-16, the best record and winning percentage in baseball.