Allen Craig (knee surgery) has yet to begin running or swinging a bat. Craig had surgery in late November to have screws inserted into his right knee and is still strengthening his atrophied right quad. He's expressed hope of being ready for the beginning of the season, but the Cardinals aren't counting on having him until May. The 27-year-old will be a backup at the corner outfield and infield positions in 2012 and can also play second base and center field in a pinch.

Allen Craig (knee) is planning to shift his rehab to the Cardinals' spring training complex this week. Craig will first participate in the Cardinals' visit to the White House on Tuesday, then it'll be time to put the wheels in motion down in Jupiter, Florida. He's saying that he wants to be ready by Opening Day, but the 27-year-old corner outfielder underwent a rather significant knee procedure and seems likely to miss at least the first month of the regular season. Carlos Beltran projects to open 2012 as St. Louis' right fielder.

Allen Craig (knee surgery) said Saturday that he could be ready for action around Opening Day. Craig underwent a procedure on his right knee in late November and was given a 4-6 month recovery timetable by the Cardinals. "I think the organization always has to plan for the worst and the worst case was six months," said the 27-year-old corner outfielder. "But I asked the doctor directly, when he thought I'd be playing and he said in 4-to-5 months I should be playing, which is right around Opening Day." Craig had a .917 OPS in 219 plate appearances this past year for the World Series champs.

Allen Craig (knee surgery) is hoping to get out of his protective leg brace in three weeks. Craig underwent surgery on his right knee around Thanksgiving and is doubtful to get back to 100 percent health by the start of the 2012 regular season. He's unable to climb stairs on his own and probably won't begin working out for another few months.

Allen Craig underwent right knee surgery around Thanksgiving and might not be ready for Opening Day. Craig originally injured his right knee in the middle of the summer when he ran into an outfield wall in Houston while trying to make a catch in foul territory. He had screws inserted into the knee as part of the surgery and is expected to miss the next four-to-six months. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch suspects that the 27-year-old outfielder will be ready in May.

Allen Craig delivered a go-ahead, pinch-hit RBI single for the second straight night in Thursday's World Series Game 2 loss to the Rangers. Rangers reliever Alexi Ogando was also the victim for the second straight night, as Craig shot a two-out single to right field to score David Freese in the seventh inning. The superb bench player is now 4-for-6 with four RBI in his postseason pinch-hitting appearances. He'll presumably start all three games in Texas as the Cards' DH.

Allen Craig drove in the game-winning run in Game 1 of the World Series, coming up with a pinch-hit RBI single in the victory over the Rangers. Craig was behind the first two Alexi Ogando fastballs, but he put the third heater in play just fair down the right-field line, and Nelson Cruz came just short of the catch. "Wrench" is a huge weapon off the bench for the Cards and 3-for-5 with three RBI in his October pinch-hitting appearances. He'll be the team's DH in the games played in Arlington.

Allen Craig went 0-for-3 with two walks in the Cardinals' 3-2 loss to the Phillies on Tuesday. Craig scored a run for the third straight playoff game. However, he's batting only 1-for-10 in the NLDS after batting .315 in 200 regular season at-bats.

Allen Craig went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, a walk, four RBI and three runs scored in St. Louis' win over the Astros on Tuesday. And he didn't even start! Craig entered when Matt Holliday was pulled in the third inning after aggravating his right middle finger injury. With a .313 average, .905 OPS and 10 homers in 195 at-bats, Craig is making quite a case for a starting job next season.

Allen Craig homered twice and doubled in the win over the Phillies on Sunday night. With a .314 average and eight homers in 172 at-bats, Craig is making quite a case for a starting job in right field or, gulp, first base next year. He'll be a fixture in the St. Louis lineup until Matt Holliday returns.