MILWAUKEE -- The St. Louis Cardinals got a key starter back Thursday but lost their regular first baseman.
Pitcher Michael Wacha was activated from the disabled list and is expected to start the opening game of a four-game series against the NL Central rival Milwaukee Brewers.
The 23-year-old Wacha had been on the disabled list since June 18 with a right shoulder stress reaction. He is 5-5 with a 2.79 ERA in 15 starts.
Manager Mike Matheny said first baseman Matt Adams is day to day with a tweaked left rib cage muscle. He was replaced in the starting lineup Thursday by Xavier Scruggs, who was called up from Triple-A Memphis.
Scruggs is batting seventh in the order. He was hitting .286 with 21 home runs and 87 RBIs in the minors.
The Cardinals also moved outfielder Shane Robinson from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.
St. Louis has won five straight to take a three-game lead over Milwaukee, which entered Thursday on an eight-game losing streak.