27-year old righty swinging OF/3B/1B Allen Craig is going to be out of action for 4-6 months after having knee surgery right around Thanksgiving. This is a big loss for the Cardinals as Craig could be out until May. He played in 75 games for the Cardinals last year and he was 63 for 200 (.315 avg, .917 OPS) with 33 runs scored, 11 homers, 40 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Craig has now played in 119 games in his first two years with the Cardinals and he is 91 for 314 (.290 avg, .842 OPS) with 45 runs scored, 15 homers, 58 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Craig is in line for a bump in P.T. this year, so the Cardinals hope he heals up quickly.

The Cardinals have replaced starting LF Matt Holliday on the roster for tonight’s game due to a sprained right wrist that was going to prevent him from playing. Holliday played in 6 games in the World Series and he was 3 for 19 (.158 avg, .595 OPS) with 5 runs scored. He played in 16 games in the post-season this year and he was 15 for 51 (.294 avg, .831 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 1 homer and 5 RBIs. Allen Craig will replace Holliday in LF tonight. He has played in all six games in the World Series so far and he is 4 for 15 (.267 avg, 1.088 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 2 homers and 4 RBIs. Craig has now played in 14 games in the post-season so far and he is 8 for 33 (.242 avg, .966 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 3 homers and 7 RBIs. Craig has been a money player for the Cardinals in the post-season, so Holliday’s injury could be a blessing in disguise for the Cardinals. The Cardinals have added rookie outfielder Ardon Chambers to the roster to replace Holliday. Chambers has played in 10 games in the post-season for the Cardinals so far and he is 1 for 5 (.200 avg, .367 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs.

31-year old righty swinging LF Matt Holliday is going to miss the next 4-5 days due to inflammation in his right middle finger. Holliday has played in 120 games for the Cardinals so far this year and he is 128 for 434 (.295 avg, .915 OPS) with 82 runs scored, 22 homers, 74 RBIs and 1 stolen base. This is really bad timing for the Cardinals as they need all hands on the deck in trying to catch the Braves for the Wild Card. Holliday has now played in 341 games in his first three years with the Cardinals and he is 397 for 1,265 (.314 avg, .938 OPS) with 219 runs scored, 63 homers, 232 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.

The Cardinals have placed 24-year old righty reliever/starter Lance Lynn on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained left oblique. Lynn has pitched in 18 games (2 starts) for the Cardinals so far this year and he is 1-1 with 1 save, a 3.12 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. Lynn has only given up 25 hits in his first 34 2/3 innings in the majors while whiffing 40 batters and walking only 11. That is impressive work and the Cardinals hope he heals up soon. The Cardinals have activated 27-year old 3B/OF Allen Craig from the D.L. to replace Lynn on the active roster. Craig has played in 40 games for the Cardinals so far this year and he is 36 for 107 (.336 avg, .928 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 4 homers, 23 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. The Cardinals are happy to have Craig back as he is versatile in the field and he can flat out rake at the plate.

The St. Louis Cardinals have placed 33-year old switch-hitting infielder Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained left oblique. Punto has played in 47 games for the Cardinals so far this year and he is 29 for 107 (.271 avg, .780 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 0 homers, 13 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Punto has been playing through injuries most of this year, so a couple weeks of rest could really help him and get him ready for the stretch run.