Cubs strike deal with outfielder Adams

ST. LOUIS -- Outfielder Lane Adams has reportedly rejoined the Cubs.
According to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Cubs have reached an agreement on a Minor League deal with Adams, who recently elected free agency after being removed from the Braves' 40-man roster.
The Cubs did not confirm the signing.
"I know I like him," manager Joe Maddon said when asked about Adams. "I know when I saw him in Atlanta, I asked, 'Who's this guy?' He's very athletic, great body and ran really well for a big guy. Had some pop. There were a lot of interesting facets about this guy."
Adams, 28, was batting .235 in 15 games with the Braves this year. Last season, he hit .275 in 85 games with Atlanta, hitting five home runs, four doubles, one triple and driving in 20 runs.
Adams was a 13th-round pick in 2009 by the Royals, and the Cubs signed him as a free agent in August 2016. He played in 22 games with Double-A Tennessee, batting .325, then played in seven games with Triple-A Iowa and went 6-for-26 (.231) and was then granted free agency in November that year and signed with the Braves.
A right-handed hitter, Adams could provide the Cubs some outfield depth if needed.
Around the horn
• Kyle Schwarber threw out Matt Carpenter at home in the first inning on Friday, and it was just another example of how much better he's getting in the outfield.

"He's got a strong arm, we know that," Maddon said of Schwarber. "The balls he's been tracking down, the routes have gotten better and he's more confident under the ball once he gets there. He's not drifting. He's doing a lot of things better.
"Part of it is he's able to move better," Maddon said of Schwarber, who wore a knee brace last season following surgery to repair two torn ligaments in 2016. "The arm's always been there. That was a great throw last night. [Schwarber] was pretty deep. I think that's why [third base coach Jose] Oquendo sent him. [Schwarber] is making a lot of progress."

• After Justin Wilson struggled last season with a 5.09 ERA in 23 games with the Cubs, Maddon says he's seeing a much-improved lefty in the bullpen.
"I can see he's feeling better about himself," Maddon said of Wilson, who struck out two and gave up two hits over one inning in relief on Friday against the Cardinals. "I said it during spring, he could be the lynchpin of the whole thing out of the bullpen. He gets out righties and lefties, good hitters, with that stuff. It's good to see that, and I want to keep getting him out there."
So far this season. lefties are batting .188 against Wilson while right-handers are hitting .250.