Adams did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[15] He was added to the Blue Jays 60-man player pool for the 2020 season but did not get called up.[16] On November 20, 2020, Adams was added to the 40-man roster.[17]
On May 2, 2021, Adams was promoted to the major leagues for the first time after backup catcher Alejandro Kirk was placed on the 10-day injured list with left hip flexor discomfort.[18] On May 5, Adams was optioned to Triple-A without making a major league appearance.[19] On June 8, Adams was again recalled to the active roster.[20] He made his MLB debut that day as the starting catcher against the Chicago White Sox. In the game, he notched his first career hit, a double off of White Sox starter Carlos Rodón.
Washington Nationals
Adams was traded to the Washington Nationals for reliever Brad Hand on July 29, 2021.[21] He notched his first hit as a National, as well as his first career home run and RBIs, off Atlanta Braves reliever Will Smith in the ninth inning, giving his team the late lead, on August 7.[22]
In 2023, Adams played in 44 games for Washington, batting .273/.331/.476 with 4 home runs and 21 RBI. On September 8, 2023, Adams was diagnosed with a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist.[23] On September 11, he underwent surgery for the injury, ending his season.[24]
Adams started the 2024 season on the major league roster, but was optioned to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings on June 2. Adams was sent down to get more playing time as both a catcher and a first baseman, rather than being limited to a backup role behind Nationals starting catcher Keibert Ruiz.[25]
Personal life
Adams began practicing karate at the age of three. He earned a second degree black belt when he was 13 years old, and then began to focus on his baseball career.[4] His elder brother, Cameron, played college baseball at Washington University in St. Louis.[26]
Adams was an accomplished science fair competitor, notably for his studies of pampas grass which resulted in his participation in the California State Science Fair.[27] Adams was also a standout high school basketball player, earning All League honors as a sophomore, junior and senior.