Adams is starting in left field and hitting cleanup Saturday against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

His two home runs in five career at-bats versus Bronson Arroyo likely played a role in manager Mike Matheny's lineup construction. Adams can mash righties, and Arroyo is among the most hittable righties in the big leagues, so this is a prime opportunity to deploy the portly left-handed slugger in daily leagues.

Adams is starting in left field Thursday and batting fifth.

EDGE Analysis

Adams continues filling in for Stephen Piscotty (head), though the incumbent could return in the next few days. Adams faces a tough assignment against John Lackey but still could prove useful for fantasy players with daily transactions due to the extra at-bats.

Adams, who walked and was robbed of a home run on a spectacular catch in center field by the Cubs' Albert Almora, Jr. over two plate appearances in Tuesday's 2-1 loss, was impressive while playing left field following Stephen Piscotty's head injury, Ben Fredrickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Adams was already on deck to pinch-hit for starter Adam Wainwright in the fifth when Piscotty was hit in the head by a Javier Baez throw as he slid to score. The injury prompted the Cardinals to shift Randal Grichuk to right field and brought Adams into the game at left, where he'd been tried out in several games during spring training. Although he rarely saw any chances during those trial runs, Tuesday was a different story, as flyballs from Addison Russell and Jason Heyward were hit in his direction in the sixth. Adams handled both cleanly and then made an impressive snag of a slicing shot from Kyle Schwarber to end the seventh. Piscotty is now in the concussion protocol, leaving his return date in question for the moment and potentially opening up a stretch of starts for Adams in the outfield. "We felt good about putting Adams in there in a one-run game," manager Mike Matheny said. "And we feel good about putting him back in there."

Adams handled two flyballs cleanly in Tuesday's game against the Mets, his first two chances in the outfield this spring, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Adams was playing his fourth game as an outfielder this spring but had yet to see any chances before Tuesday. It was a stellar day all around for the veteran, who also smacked a pair of singles and a three-run home run, his fifth of the spring. The outing raised Adams' average to .340 and helped him continue to make a case for increased playing time this season at both first base and the outfield.

Adams played in left field for the final four innings of Wednesday's 6-1 Cactus League victory over the Nationals, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Adams didn't see any chances while in the field, but the Cardinals are likely to put him out there again in coming games. Manager Mike Matheny has commented that Adams has looked good running down flyballs in batting practice, and the goal remains to have him serve as a viable enough option in the outfield so as to have him see at-bats on a more regular basis.

Adams may get a look in the outfield during Wednesday's spring training game, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Matt Carpenter locked in as the starting first baseman, Adams has no clear path to regular at-bats, even though the Cardinals are optimistic his offseason weight loss will translate into improved performance. He presumably won't be ready for significant playing time in the outfield early in the season, but it is possible his improved mobility could allow him to contribute as the year progresses. Adams is enjoying a strong spring at the plate, boasting a .294 batting average and four home runs in 34 at-bats, albeit with 14 strikeouts.

Adams went 2-for-2 with a double, solo home run, a walk and two runs overall in Sunday's 9-9 Grapefruit League tie with the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Adams' second-inning solo home run was his third of spring and second in as many days. Factoring in Sunday's production, he's slashing .296/.375/.667 and is tied for second on the Cardinals with Paul DeJong with six RBI. Despite his recent encouraging performances, strikeouts remain an issue, as he's also whiffed 11 times in 27 at-bats.

Adams went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Saturday's 2-2 Grapefruit League tie with the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

The svelte slugger's fourth-inning blast off Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz was his second of spring and helped bring his average back up to a decent .250 over his first 25 at-bats. Adams' 30-pound offseason weight loss was achieved with the goal of allowing the 28-year-old to bounce back from last season's .249/.309/.471 line and reduce his 24.8 percent strkeout rate.

Adams shedded 30 pounds during the offseason in addition to altering his batting stance and swing, Jennifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Adams is hoping that his weight loss will allow him to become a more agile player, which would especially help his defense at first base. He'll also be looking to use his revamped swing to bounce back from a fairly disappointing season last year in which he slashed .249/.309/.471. With Matt Carpenter still slated to be the Cardinals' primary starter at first base, Adams will likely serve mostly in a bench role in 2017.

Adams, who'd been hitless in his first 12 spring at-bats, went 2-for-3 with a single and solo home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League win over the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old first baseman finally broke out after a sluggish start to spring, getting a hold of a Bartolo Colon four-seam fastball and driving it into the left field bleachers to open the scoring for the Cardinals. Adams avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $2.8 million deal with St. Louis on Jan. 12 and is slated to serve as a left-handed bat off the bench and occasional starter at first against righties behind Matt Carpenter. The veteran slugger slashed .249/.309/.471 with 18 doubles, 16 homers and 54 RBI over 327 plate appearances in 2016 and saw his strikeout rate climb to 24.8 percent, its highest since 2013.