Mike Adams intending on mid-April return

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Mike Adams recorded three outs on 12 pitches Wednesday in his first game action in nine months. He started toward the dugout at a back field at the Carpenter Complex until the coaches yelled, "Hey! Hey!" They wanted Adams, recovering from shoulder surgery, to throw more in this minor-league intrasquad scrimmage.

"I gave up two three-out hits," a grinning Adams said. "I have to work on that a little bit."

Adams is targeting an April 15 return to the majors. He was pleased with the movement on his pitches Wednesday but not his velocity. He admitted to fatigue near the end of the 20-pitch outing. This, he said, will be cured with more time.

"I was nervous, don't get me wrong," he said. " I was very nervous. ... It went well. I'm expecting tomorrow to be fine. I don't feel anything out of the ordinary right now. We'll just keep on moving."

Adams said he expects to pitch in another minor-league game Saturday and needs nine or 10 outings before he returns. He will earn $7 million in 2014.

"I plan on helping," Adams said. "I don't plan on being a guy who is just taking up a spot. I have a contract to fulfill. I don't want to be one of those guys that stole money. I'm trying to do my best."

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