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Cardinals first baseman Allen Craig hasn't played since Sept. 4 due to a sprained left foot and he's still in a walking boot. Thursday, he will have X-rays (stltoday.com).
As far as returning to the field, he's still questionable to return even as soon as the divisional round of the playoffs, should the Cardinals make it there.
If Craig were to improve, he might face pitchers in Florida's instructional league to prepare for a return. That, however, isn't a sure thing.
“I hate to focus too much on that because I don’t know if he’s ever going to be physically ready to do that this year," general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
That doesn't sound too optimistic. It sounds like the Cardinals better brace for not having him back.
Craig, 29, made the All-Star team for the first time this season. He's hitting .315/.373/.457 with 29 doubles, 13 homers and 97 RBI this season.
Fortunately for the Cardinals, they have a capable replacement at first base in Matt Adams. The 24-year-old Adams is hitting .282/.334/.498 with 12 doubles, 16 homers and 50 RBI this year in just 299 plate appearances.
The Cardinals enter Tuesday with a two-game lead in the NL Central over both the Reds and Pirates.
