Craig moving forward with hamstring rehab

St. LOUIS -- Allen Craig (left hamstring strain) took another step forward in his recovery by joining teammates for batting practice and fielding work on Thursday. He also tested his hamstring by running for a second straight day.

"It felt fine," Craig said afterward. "I'm progressing well. I'm feeling pretty good."

The injured first baseman/outfielder was cleared to take swings off a tee on Wednesday, and Thursday marked the first time he had hit on the field since exiting the team's May 16 game in San Francisco.

Craig is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list as early as June 1, and he is hopeful that he will do so on that date. He has not yet been told whether the team will send him out on a brief Minor League rehabilitation assignment before removing him from the DL.

Craig appeared in 13 games in between DL stints. He began the year sidelined after offseason surgery on his right knee.