Craig injures left foot; Red Sox put newcomer on 15-day disabled list.

Byline: R.B. Fallstrom

ST. LOUIS -- The Boston Red Sox are optimistic Allen Craig, who was hurt in his first game with the team, will be back this season.

General manager Ben Cherington said Wednesday it's likely Craig, on the 15-day disabled list with a left foot sprain, will visit with specialist Dr. James Andrews at the end of the week for a second opinion.

Cherington said Craig believed the injury was not serious and added there's been no talk about shutting things down for the year.

''We're not at that point by any means,'' Cherington said. ''He feels good. I mean, he doesn't feel like he's that far away from playing.''

The Red Sox played the second of three games against the Cardinals here Wednesday night. The start was delayed by over an hour by rain.

Joe Kelly (2-2, 4.37) made his first start for Boston since being acquired in a trade July 31. He was opposed by St. Louis' Shelby Miller (8-8, 4.14), a close friend, who spent two-plus seasons with the Cardinals.

The two served as Best Man in each other's weddings in the offseason.

''It's going to be strange,'' Kelly said. ''There will be some emotions there.''

Boston lost the opener of the series, 3-2, on Tuesday with the Red Sox' Rubby De La Rosa allowing just one run on six hits in six innings.

As for Craig, the 30-year-old had a similar injury last season with the Cardinals. He missed the final month of the season and most of the postseason.

Cherington said the Red Sox had no concerns about Craig's medical history when they made the deal last week to get him from St. Louis.

He said there are no long-term concerns, either, but said the team is taking a conservative approach with a new player.

''Because of what he went through last year, we're trying to be extra cautious,''...