Craig is considered the primary backup at first base, ahead of Daniel Nava, the Boston Globe reports.

We're this late in spring training and Craig is still on the team. There's been talk of Craig potentially heading out via a trade, but nothing has materialized, so manager John Farrell prepares to have him on the roster, something that should give Boston very good depth.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said he expects Craig to be on Boston's roster this season, WEEI.com reports.

What else would Farrell say? Craig's value is at its lowest and he doesn't have a spot in the starting lineup. Farrell will try to find at-bats for Craig this spring and get him untracked for the start of the regular season. He'll backup Mike Napoli at first base and Hanley Ramirez in left field.

Craig had two hits and reached base four times in Saturday's split-squad game against the Orioles.

Craig has his head down, focused on having a good spring and seeing where the baseball gods take him. At this point, he's nothing more than a backup with Boston, but if he hits well this spring, he could find himself involved in a trade to a better situation.

Craig has "much more life in his bat," according to manager John Farrell, the Boston Globe reports.

Craig has looked good in batting practice, suggesting that his fully healed left foot gives him a better base and stronger swing.

Craig reported to training camp Sunday and said he had a normal workout schedule in the offseason, WEEI.com reports.

Craig experienced foot problems in 2013, which impacted his ability to prepare for 2014, when his OPS fell to .594. He understands there isn't a position in Boston's starting lineup for him, but Craig is prepared to work hard in spring training.

Craig said a foot injury impacted his preparation for the 2014 season and added that there are no such problems has he prepares for the 2015 season, the Boston Herald reports. From 2011-2013, Craig hit .312 with an .863 OPS, but fell off to .215 and .594 last season.

Craig said his foot felt fine for most of the 2014 season, but feels it impacted his leg strength. At this point, with Mike Napoli at first base and a crowded corner-outfield group, Craig is somewhat redundant on the roster. That situation suggests a possible trade, but with his value at a career low, the Red Sox are loath to move Craig. Both Craig and the club are motivated to let the healthy version of the player report to spring training and build toward the season.

The Red Sox are intent on finding a role for Craig in 2015, WEEI.com reports. "Allen can play first in addition to the two corner spots in the outfield. I think we're focused short-term with Allen right now," general manager Ben Cherington said. "It's one of the things we'll be able to figure out as it gets closer to opening day. He can protect us at a bunch of spots and we know if he's doing what he's capable of doing he can play everyday somewhere."

Craig doesn't have an obvious everyday role. Mike Napoli is expected to start at first base while the corner outfield spots are filled by offseason addition Hanley Ramirez and lead-off candidate Mookie Betts. And we haven't even talked about former gold-glover Shane Victorino. The Red Sox are content to let it play out in spring training and see where Craig is at. He hit just .128 with a .425 OPS after joining Boston last season. Cherington and manager John Farrell want to see what Craig can do with an offseason of full health while starting the year in the Boston organization.

Craig does not need anymore testing on his foot, Maureen Mullen reports.

Good news for Allen Craig feels like a rarity at this point. His anemic .215/.279/.315 line from 2014 could be a result of being unable to properly land on his lead foot, but any optimistic projections for him should still be approached with extreme caution.

Craig (personal) is back in the lineup Wednesday against the Rays.

Craig was away from the team Tuesday attending to a personal matter, but as expected, he's back at first base Wednesday in place of Mike Napoli (foot). The 30-year-old Craig will look to record his first career hit off Rays starter Jake Odorizzi (0-for-7).

Craig was not with the team Tuesday due to personal reasons, but he is scheduled to return prior to Wednesday's game, WEEI's Rob Bradford reports.

He missed his second straight game Tuesday, but it sounds like there's a chance he could be back in the lineup Wednesday, and at the very least, later in the week.

Craig is out of the lineup Sunday against the Orioles, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Craig has started four straight games between first base and right field for the Red Sox, but will get a regular day of rest Sunday afternoon. Daniel Nava will take over at first, while Bryce Brentz will draw his first start of the season in right field.

Craig is out of the lineup Monday against the Orioles.

Craig failed to make the most of the five consecutive starts he received from Wednesday through Sunday, going 1-for-14 with eight strikeouts. He's batting just .109 since joining the Red Sox, and this point, can probably be dropped in most formats.

Craig is out of the lineup Friday against the Blue Jays.

Daniel Nava will man right field again Friday in place of Craig, who's currently in the midst of an 0-for-15 slump. Craig is just 4-for-38 since joining Boston and could end up playing second fiddle to Nava if he doesn't pick it up soon.

Craig went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in Wednesday night's loss to the Yankees. In 10 games with Boston, Craig is 4-for-36 (.111) with 15 strikeouts in 41 plate appearances.

This is not the Craig the team thought it was getting when they acquired him for John Lackey. Craig refuses to blame lingering effects of the foot injury he suffered a year ago, for which he opted for rest over surgery, or the inconsistent playing time he's getting with Boston. But something's not right as Craig's now has a season line of .226/.285/.337 combined between St. Louis and Boston. A couple of weeks ago, according to ESPN Boston, manager John Farrell acknowledged that surgery may be in the offing. "The injury he had last year was something that was given rest and recovery, rather than repair," Farrell said. "I guess it's debatable whether a repair was needed or recommended, but they chose the conservative path."

Craig is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rays, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

Manager John Farrell will go with the switch-hitting Daniel Nava to counter Rays right-hander Alex Cobb, leaving Craig as one of the Red Sox's top pinch-hitting options off the bench Sunday. Craig hasn't enjoyed as consistent playing time with his new club as he enjoyed with the Cardinals, and the timeshare with Nava in right field could rage on for the remainder of the season.

Craig started at first base in Monday night's win over Toronto. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

With David Ortiz (foot) unavailable, the Red Sox had Mike Napoli fill in at designated hitter while Craig moved from the outfield to first base. The decision to play Craig at first is also an indication of how manager John Farrell will juggle his lineup to get regular at-bats for productive outfield hitters (Brock Holt, Yoenis Cespedes, Daniel Nava, Mookie Betts).

Craig (foot) went 0-for-3 in Thursday's 2-0 loss to the Angels. It was his first game since August 1.

Craig was used as the DH on Thursday with David Ortiz out of the lineup, but most of his playing time will come in the outfield.

Craig (foot) was activated from the 15-day DL on Thursday, Alex Speier of WEEI.com.

Craig completed a two-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday, going 1-for-5 with two RBI during his stay in the minors. He'll slot back in at the DH spot Thursday against the Angels in his return, but he'll likely see most of his time in the corner outfield the rest of the way.

Craig (foot) had a single and two RBI in three at-bats Wednesday while making his second rehab appearance with Triple-A Pawtucket.

Craig played five innings without incident in right field and got to test the foot on his base hit when he advanced to second base on a throw home.

Craig (foot) is expected to return to the Red Sox this weekend, MLB Network Radio reports. "Everything points to him coming off the DL at the end of the week, barring anything unforeseen," manager John Farrell said.

Craig's rehab took a bit longer than expected, but it appears he'll return to the Red Sox before the end of the week after completing a stint at Triple-A Pawtucket. The former-Cardinal has struggled mightily this season (.237/.291/.348) but will look to get back on track over the final month-and-a-half. If he can stay healthy, Craig is in position to see plenty of time in left field for Boston.