Gordon's return is a hit

Here's a bad omen for your season.

Alex Gordon first felt pain in his right hip on Opening Day.

“I couldn't tell you how it happened,” he said. “We were standing out there forever in the freezing cold for the national anthem, and I don't know if something hit me or what. I kind of noticed it after I hit that first home run my first at-bat, rounding the bases. After that it gradually got worse.”

Seven games, hip surgery and 10 weeks of recovery later, Gordon made his first appearance at Rosenblatt Stadium as a professional on Friday, just one of the attractions before a World-Herald Fireworks Night crowd announced as 23,532, the seventh largest in franchise history.

Gordon went 1 for 3 with two walks as Omaha and New Orleans played 10 innings and were tied 2-2 before the game was suspended following a rain delay.

Gordon flied to center field in the first inning, then produced Omaha's first hit — a line single to right-center — and scored the game's first run in the fourth. Fans booed as Gordon was walked intentionally in the fifth, when Omaha had runners on second and third with one out. In the seventh, with a runner on third and two outs, the Zephyrs pitched carefully to Gordon, then walked him intentionally after falling behind 3-0. His night ended with a flyout to center in the ninth.

It was a one-game stop for Gordon, who will move to Class AA Northwest Arkansas to continue his rehabilitation while Omaha goes on the road. The Royals and Gordon hope he'll be able to return to the majors after the All-Star break, when his 20-day rehabilitation expires.

“I'm working hard and hopefully I can prove to them that I am ready to go,” Gordon said. “If not, we'll go from there.”

Gordon, the All-American from Nebraska by way of Lincoln Southeast, hadn't played at Rosenblatt since the 2005 College World Series.

Gordon's monster season in Class AA in 2006 — which netted him the minor-league player of the year award — helped persuade Kansas City to promote him to the majors the following year, depriving Omahans of a chance to see him as a Class AAA player two years ago.

Rain nearly did the same Friday.

On-field batting practice was canceled to protect the infield. Often rehabbing major leaguers are held out of the lineup when conditions are unfavorable, and the Royals have invested about $5 million in bonus and salary into Gordon since making him the second overall pick in the 2005 draft.

But the Kansas City organization decided to let Gordon play Friday. He said he was happy to get a chance to perform in front of local fans. Some 16,000 tickets had already been sold before it was announced earlier this week that Gordon would play for Omaha. Crowds in excess of 22,000 are typical for the annual game played on July 3 or 4.

“Hopefully they're all here for the fireworks,” Gordon said before the game. “I don't think I'm that big of a deal.”

Gordon, who said he's been pain-free for about five weeks, started his rehabilitation with the Royals' rookie-level team in Arizona last weekend, playing four games and going 2 for 7 with a homer and three RBIs. He has played third base only twice as he continues rebuilding leg strength.

“Hitting has been fine,” Gordon said. “Fielding ... the sharp movements, the sharp agility — you have to make bang-bang plays at third base — that's been the hardest. I need to get my legs back under me, get my strength, so I can make those movements.”

After surgery, Gordon said he did rehab work for a couple of weeks in Vail, Colo., spent several weeks in Kansas City, then went to the team's spring training complex in Arizona to continue. Workouts, exercises and therapy often lasted up to five hours per day.

Meanwhile, a Royals season that had started with promise has turned sour.

“It's been tough watching the games on TV,” Gordon said. “It was a lot easier when they were doing well and winning, but not being out there helping them while they're going through a tough stretch, that's been the toughest thing. You wish you could be there and you're not.”

With Gordon out, versatile Mark Teahen has returned to third base and has been one of the Royals' top offensive players. Billy Butler, another top offensive threat, has played reasonably well at first base. If Gordon returns to third base, Teahen could possibly move back to left field, shifting David DeJesus back to center field in place of Mitch Maier, who has filled in for the injured Coco Crisp. Other scenarios are possible, too.

“All I know is Teahen has been playing great third base, and so has Billy (at first),” Gordon said. “Wherever they put me, it doesn't matter. I just want to help out and contribute.”

But Gordon is staying patient, too. That's part of what the rehabilitation process is all about.

“They can't just throw you back in the big leagues, especially after 10 weeks (off),” Gordon said. “The jitters are off me, and I'm starting to feel comfortable doing everything out there.”

Playing in the minor leagues isn't an ideal scenario, but Gordon appeared in better spirits than three months ago in Kansas City, when he was out of the lineup and before the injury had been diagnosed.

“I wasn't having fun. I wasn't enjoying the game,” he said. “I was just trying to get through each inning without having any pain. The best option was to have surgery and be ready for the second half of the season.”

Contact the writer:

444-1027, rob.white@owh.com


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