Adams returning to use of elbow brace

ST. LOUIS -- Matt Adams has chosen to once again wear an elbow brace in an effort to prevent any hyperextension of his right arm. Adams said his recent return to the brace was not dictated by renewed discomfort.

Adams plans to wear the brace for the rest of the season.

"The elbow is 100 percent fine," Adams said after taking batting practice on Tuesday. "It felt good in Spring Training. I just wanted to see what it felt like with it off. It's going to be a thing to help my elbow not get overextended. With a long season, it's smart to put it back on and make sure that elbow stays 100 percent."

Adams has not been bothered by his right elbow since last September, when discomfort first led him to don the brace. He continued to wear it through the postseason and took his first swings of spring with it still on before temporarily deciding it was unnecessary.

Adams has been cautious with the elbow since having season-ending surgery in August 2012 to remove bone spurs.

"I have encouraged him in the past when I saw him doing this [hyperextending] thing," manager Mike Matheny said. "He would say he just had a zinger or something along those lines. I would remind him that, 'Hey, when you were wearing that thing back in September and October, you were hitting all right.' I'm always trying to let them know that they have the freedom. I'm not going to freak out if they have a brace or a wrap or something. We want to keep him healthy."