Allen Craig has returned to St. Louis to receive more individualized attention on his surgically repaired right knee. It doesn't sound like he has suffered any sort of setback, but Craig couldn't receive the personal attention that he needed with so many players remaining at extended spring training in Jupiter, Florida. He'll eventually return to Florida when he's ready to return to game action. We're still expecting him to come off the DL sometime this month.

Cardinals placed OF Allen Craig on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 26, due to continued rehab from offseason knee surgery. There was talk a few days ago about Craig possibly making the Opening Day roster as a pinch-hitter, but the Cardinals have decided to give him some extra time. He should be back in mid-April if all goes well. Shane Robinson will take his place on the roster for now.

Cardinals placed OF Allen Craig on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 26, with a right knee injury. There was talk a few days ago about Craig possibly making the Opening Day roster as a pinch-hitter, but the Cardinals have decided to give him some extra time. He should be back in mid-April if all goes well. Shane Robinson will take his place on the roster for now.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Wednesday that Allen Craig (knee) might not be ready for Opening Day. Craig has just begun playing in minor league games as he continues his rehab from offseason knee surgery. We heard chatter a few days ago that he could make the Opening Day roster as pinch-hitter, but the Cardinals may ultimately decide to give him some extra time.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Allen Craig (knee) is likely to open season on the Cardinals' bench. It's not clear whether the decision is injury related, but it sounds like Craig is healthy enough to make the Opening Day roster. With Skip Schumaker set to begin the year on the disabled-list, Tyler Greene projects as the Cardinals' starting second baseman, with Jon Jay starting in centerfield.

Allen Craig (knee) on Thursday hit a home run during a minor league game and also was able to field ground balls and fly balls without any issues. Craig didn't play the field during the game, but he was tested out in a "fairly lengthy session" where assistant hitting coach John Mabry hit balls to him. "All directions," Mabry said. "In, out, back, left, right. He's coming along A-OK." The Cardinals had not been expecting Craig, who had knee surgery in November, back until May, but there now appears to be a real chance of him making the Opening Day roster if he can keep progressing.

Allen Craig (knee) is scheduled to take fly balls in the field Thursday. Craig, who had right knee surgery in November, returned to action this week as a designated hitter in a minor league game. He still hopes to be ready for Opening Day, but mid-April appears to be more realistic.

Allen Craig (knee) went 0-for-4 while serving as the designated hitter Tuesday in a minor league game. Craig has not been cleared to run the bases or play the field, but that could change by early next week. The 27-year-old outfielder is still aiming to be ready by the start of the regular season, though a mid-April return seems more realistic. He underwent knee surgery in November.

Allen Craig (knee) has been cleared to begin taking at-bats in minor league exhibition games. Craig won't be allowed to run the bases or play the field, but this still represents a significant step forward for the 27-year-old corner outfielder. He underwent major knee surgery in November but is currently aiming to be ready for major league action sometime in early April.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said on KMOX Radio in St. Louis Sunday that Allen Craig (knee) could possibly be ready to play as early as Opening Day. It would be quite an acceleration of his timetable, as the general thought has been that Craig will most most, if not all, of April. He just took batting practice Thursday for the first time since November knee surgery and said he "felt great." We're skeptical that he'll be ready on April 4, as there's still no timetable for his return to game action, but it does sound like he could beat his old timetable by a couple weeks.