Cardinals analysis: Merry-go-round at first?

Either Matt Adams will be out a little longer than anticipated, or the St. Louis Cardinals have a whole lotta shakin’ going on.

Adams, who suffered a quad tear in late May and is projected to miss three to four months, may not be back until the end of the season.

Originally, the Cardinals planned on using utilityman Mark Reynolds at both first and third base, but his lower batting average suggested this plan wouldn’t last very long.

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So the Cardinals began to play Xavier Scruggs at first and in the outfield. But wait, that’s not all.

St. Louis promoted Dan Johnson to the parent club on Wednesday and he is in uniform for the final game of the series against the Chicago Cubs. The club also told minor league prospect Stephen Piscotty that he needs to take practice time at first base.

It sounds like the Cardinals plan to have players who can play multiple positions, and that should help offset the lack of offense this club has had in recent games.

The Cardinals can go for a split of the four-game series Wednesday night (the final game was not finished when this article was written) knowing the first-place margin is safe. Will it stay safe is the big question.

That’s why we’re seeing more of Scruggs at first and in the outfield. Johnson will likely play some first base with the parent club. It’s why Piscotty will play first base at Triple-A Memphis in the coming days.

Being versatile is where it is at right now for the Cardinals. They need players at multiple spots in the event someone else goes down. As much as we hate to admit it, Jon Jay and Peter Bourjos are a huge step down from Johnson, Scruggs, Piscotty and Randal Grichuk.

Don’t think St. Louis doesn’t see headlights in the rear-view mirror. If it’s not the Cubs, it’s the Pittsburgh Pirates waiting to give chase.

Now is the time for the Cardinals to step on the gas.