St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Allen Craig has been cleared by doctors to intensify his workouts as he looks to possibly play in the World Series if the team advances, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
NLCS 2013: Cardinals’ 1B Allen Craig intensifying recovery from foot injury
Craig hopes to contribute if the Cardinals make the World Series as a bench bat or designated hitter.
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The Cardinals have been without Craig for nearly six weeks as he has suffered from a Lisfranc injury in his left foot. He still has not been cleared to run on solid ground, which will be the biggest step in his recovery. Craig had previously been hopeful that he could be on the roster for the National League Championship Series, but is not active as the Cardinals take on the Dodgers.
Craig was able to play catch on the field Friday, the first time he has done so since suffering the injury the first week of September. He also hit off a tee and will take batting practice sometime in the next few days.
Had Craig been able to play in the NLCS, he would have only been able to take pinch-hitting duties. Even in a potential World Series he likely would be unable to play the field. However, he could start games in the American League ballpark at designated hitter.
Craig hit .315 with an 830 OPS over 134 regular season games. The Cardinals won Game 1 of the NLCS Friday night.
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