With Matt Adams out, Ryan Howard could be Cardinals target

Cardinals' first baseman Matt Adams will miss three to four months due to a strained right quadricep and could miss the remainder of the season, according to a team announcement. Surgery is possible for Adams, who aggravated the injury during Tuesday's game.

Adams, 26, has hit .243/.281/.375 with four home runs and 20 RBI in 43 games for the Cardinals so far this season, and is absence leaves the team with Mark Reynolds as their primary first baseman. Reynolds, who will continue to start against lefties, could use a platoon partner against righties while Adams is out.

The Cardinals may look to use an internal outfielder like Stephen Piscotty at first base, and could also look at external options to address the issue. Phillies' first baseman Ryan Howard, a St. Louis native, is very available in trades, and could be attractive to the Cards due to his somewhat surprising .261/.304/.529 line and ten home runs this season. Although Howard has a complete no-trade clause as a result of his 10-5 rights, a hometown return may be something he would welcome as he enters the final chapter of his career.

Other options are available for the Cardinals, who will are entering the first base market at the same time as the Rays, who recently lost James Loney to injury for a significant amount of time. Ex-Giants first baseman Travis Ishikawa was designated for assignment over the weekend and is available to all teams, and the Brewers' Adam Lind is known to be on the trade market as well.