Allen Craig hit his second home run of the season in the Cardinals' loss to the Cubs on Tuesday. Craig got off to a sluggish start this year but is heating up quickly. He had a .588 OPS on April 21 and it's now .758. The 28-year-old first baseman is a good buy-low candidate in fantasy leagues.

Allen Craig launched his first home run of the year Saturday in the Cardinals' 7-6 win over the Brewers. Craig's power is finally starting to show. He batted just .263/.297/.358 in the month of April but performed well with runners in scoring position and now boasts 21 RBI in 28 games despite his relatively slow start. "Wrench" is capable of going on a prolonged tear.

Allen Craig drove in two runs on Saturday night to help the Cardinals beat the Phillies. Craig's two-run single in the top of the third inning broke a 0-0 tie and opened the floodgates for the dangerous St. Louis offense. Craig is batting just .220/.266/.305 in 15 games this season but he does have 11 RBI. The 28-year-old first baseman should start mashing soon.

Allen Craig is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Pirates. Craig is just getting a routine day of rest. Matt Adams will make the start at first base and bat sixth against right-hander A.J. Burnett.

Allen Craig is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Reds. He's just getting a day to rest. Matt Adams, who hit a big pinch-hit homer on Tuesday, will make the start at first base and bat seventh.

Cardinals signed 1B/OF Allen Craig to a five-year contract extension with a club option for 2018. Craig wasn't slated for arbitration until next winter, so he'll be locked up through at least his first year of free agency. Financial details of the deal aren't known, but these kind of contracts usually turn out to be team-friendly as long as the player stays healthy. Craig batted .307/.354/.522 with 22 homers and 92 RBI last season over 119 games. "Wrench" is a career .300/.348/.515 hitter over 238 contests.

Allen Craig is playing first base Friday for the first time this spring. Craig had been limited to DH duty due to a sore throwing shoulder. He's batting .462/.611/.769 with a homer and five RBI in six Grapefruit League contests.

Allen Craig (shoulder) resumed throwing a few days ago and expects to begin playing first base soon. Craig has been limited to DH duties because of some routine arm soreness. The talented 28-year-old is 6-for-9 with a home run and five RBI so far in the Grapefruit League and should be an excellent fantasy first baseman in 2013. He batted .307/.354/.522 with 22 home runs in 2012.

Allen Craig went 2-for-2 with a homer, a walk and three runs scored as the Cardinals smoked the Astros 10-2 on Monday. The Cardinals are going to miss playing the Astros 18 times a year. Craig figures to be one of the NL's best first basemen this year if he can stay healthy. Those looking to draft him especially early should remember that he served two DL stints in 2012 and missed the first couple of months of the 2011 season.

Allen Craig is not in the Cardinals' Grapefruit League lineup Saturday due to shoulder soreness. The injury is a low-level concern, so Craig should be viewed as day-to-day going forward. Matt Adams will start at first base in his absence.