Red Sox

Allen Craig Headed to the Disabled List With Ankle Injury

By Steve Silva

August 5, 2014

Allen Craig won’t be playing against his old team in St. Louis this week. Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

According to Boston.com’s Maureen Mullen, newly acquired infielder/outfielder Allen Craig is headed to the disabled list.

Allen Craig going on DL.

— Maureen Mullen (@MaureenaMullen) August 5, 2014

Craig was acquired along with righthander Joe Kelly in exchange for John Lackey on Thursday.

Craig played left field in the opener of the Red Sox-Yankees series Friday night — going 1-for-4 with a double — but hurt his left ankle while running over first base during the 4-3 victory.

“I feel like I can contribute on offense, that’s what I’ve done my entire career, and that’s what I feel like I’m going to be able to do, contribute somewhere in the lineup wherever that is,” Craig said after Friday’s game. “I think the first half of the season was a huge learning experience for me. That’s what this game is about. Learning and making adjustments and figuring out what pitchers are going to do to you. I feel like I learned a lot.”

Craig had a serious left foot/ankle injury that limited him in the postseason and World Series against the Red Sox and many believe that situation continues to bother him.

Red Sox manager John Farrell had hoped to have Craig in the Red Sox lineup in St. Louis where the World Series rematch begins tonight.

The 30-year-old Craig was an All-Star in 2013 — batting .315 with 13 homers and 97 RBIs in 134 games — but he’s been struggling badly this season, batting just .237 with 7 homers and 44 RBIs in 97 games in 2014 before coming over to Boston.

Craig signed a five-year, $31 million contract before the start of the 2013 season. Craig’s contract calls for him to earn $5.5 million in 2015, $9 million in 2016, $11 million in 2017, with a $13 million club option for the 2018 season.

Outfielder Corey Brown is expected to take Craig’s spot on the roster. The 28-year-old Brown has shown some pop in Pawtucket with 16 home runs and 39 RBIs, but he’s batting just .226. Brown has 36 games of major league experience with the Washington Nationals from 2011-13.