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Cardinals' Adams to miss 3-4 months with torn quad

Chris Humphreys / USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams could miss the rest of the season after an MRI revealed a severe right quadriceps strain suffered while running the bases on Tuesday.

Adams, who's expected to need at least three-to-four weeks for recovery, will have surgery Friday to repair the tear.

"Fingers crossed, if things go well maybe I'll be able to get back by the end of the season," Adams told reporters Wednesday night. "It's just something that needed to be done."

The Cardinals had been bracing for the worst after Adams came up limping while running the bases in the fifth inning of Tuesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was replaced with a pinch-runner and manager Mike Matheny admitted there was a "high level of concern" following the game.

"I don't start playing the 'woe is me' or even 'we've had more than our share,'" Matheny said after the Cardinals completed a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks. "There's no guarantees. Guys still have to perform."

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

The injury is especially disheartening for Adams, who's been mired in a season-long slump, hitting just .243/.281/.375 through 43 games this year. The 26-year-old slugger posted a career-high 2.2 wins above replacement last season and owns a .779 OPS since the start of 2013.

"It's a tough break, not what I wanted," he said. "I want to be healthy, too."

The team recalled catcher Ed Easley from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding roster move, while Mark Reynolds is expected to assume full-time first-base duties in Adams' absence.

"It could be a much tougher spot for us," Matheny said. "I know it's a story and a lot to be talked about but not in here. We're going to have to have somebody step up."

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