Allen Craig took batting practice Thursday for the first time since right knee surgery in November. "It felt great," said Craig. "I've been excited about it for a while, getting back on the field and actually hitting some balls coming at me. It was fun to get out there and hit." Craig has yet to be cleared for side-to-side running or agility drills, but expects that to happen "soon." The 27-year-old hopes to return by the end of April.

Allen Craig (knee surgery) ran sprints in the outfield Tuesday morning in Cardinals camp. B.J. Rains of FOX Sports Midwest estimates that Craig was moving at "80 percent or so" effort. The 27-year-old corner outfielder underwent right knee surgery in November and is currently aiming to return in late April. He hasn't been cleared for batting practice.

Allen Craig (knee surgery) continues to hit off tee and do soft-toss in a batting cage, but it's unclear when he'll be cleared for batting practice. Craig last week estimated that he was at about "60 percent" strength in his recovery from knee surgery. He's hoping to get in some Grapefruit League games before the end of March, but he will not be ready for the start of the season and most likely will miss at least the first month.

Allen Craig (knee) estimated Monday that he's running at about "60 percent" strength. Craig underwent surgery on his right knee in November. He's hoping to play in some Grapefruit League games before the Cardinals head north to begin their regular season schedule, but he's doubtful to be on the 25-man roster come Opening Day and seems unlikely to be activated before May.

Cardinals signed OF Allen Craig to a one-year, $495,000 contract. The split contract would guarantee Craig only $248,400 if he is optioned to the minors. Recovering from offseason knee surgery, the back-up outfielder could miss as much as the first month of the season.

Allen Craig was able to jog lightly Monday for the first time since his November knee surgery. Craig joined his teammates on the field for stretching for the first time since arriving at Cardinals camp in Jupiter, Florida, then ran three or four times over a distance of 90 feet. "I was able to pick up the pace to a nice jog," the 27-year-old corner outfielder told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "It wasn't a run or a sprint, but if was a good jog." He's aiming to be ready by Opening Day, but an early-May return seems much more realistic.

Allen Craig (knee) was on the field Monday morning in Cardinals camp for his first team workout. Craig had been limited to weight training and light throwing before being cleared Monday to participate in a couple of drills. He's still not going full-bore, however, and remains doubtful for the start of the season. The corner outfielder underwent knee surgery in November.

Allen Craig played catch Thursday for the first time since undergoing November knee surgery. It was a big step for Craig, but running will be the biggest. He's still being limited primarily to weight-room workouts and is unlikely to be cleared for agility drills for another few weeks. The corner outfielder is not expected to appear in a major league game before early May.

Allen Craig (knee surgery) said he expects to begin running and agility drills "in the near future." Craig has been limited to weight-room workouts since arriving at the Cardinals' spring training complex, but he told reporters Monday that he probably could do more. "It's just one of those things where you only have a certain amount of energy in a day, and right now the focus is on the weight room," Craig said. "It's not that I can't go out and take swings in the cage right now. It's just not worth doing that and taking away from something else." He's likely to be ready for live games by early May.

Allen Craig (knee surgery) won't begin swinging a bat or running this month. Craig is currently working his way back from November surgery on his right knee. While he expressed some optimism in January about being ready for Opening Day, the Cardinals will likely be without him for the first month of the season. The 27-year-old could still play a major role upon his return, even though he doesn't project as a starting player at the moment.