ARLINGTON, Texas – Third baseman Alex Gordon is expected to be out of Kansas City’s lineup for at least two months after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip.
The surgery was performed Friday in Colorado and Royals manager Trey Hillman said the recovery time is 10 to 12 weeks.
“We want him to be safe, something we can take care of at the young age of 25,” Hillman said.
Gordon, the No. 2 overall pick in 2005, had only two hits in 21 at-bats the first seven games this season before opting to have the surgery. He hit .253 with 31 home runs and 119 RBIs in 285 games the past two seasons.
“The original diagnosis was ‘play as tolerated’ with no further chance of damage,” Hillman said. “I don’t think anybody would second-guess the pain toleration of an Alex Gordon. We all know he’s extremely tough. But we wanted to see definitively what threshold he could take it to. But after a few days of playing, there was a lot of discomfort.”
Mark Teahen took over as the starting third baseman Friday night in the opener of the Royals’ weekend series at Texas.
Teahen started his fourth game in right field Wednesday, and this season became the first Royals player since Bill Pecota in 1991 to appear at four different positions in the first six games.
Guzman placed on DL
WASHINGTON – The Washington Nationals placed shortstop Cristian Guzman on the 15-day disabled list after Friday’s loss to the Florida Marlins.
Guzman suffered a left hamstring strain Monday while leaving the batter’s box after his fifth hit in the Nationals’ home opener. He was hitting a team-high .515 (17 for 33) with four RBIs as Washington’s leadoff batter. The move was retroactive to April 14.
Giants pitcher back
SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Giants rookie pitcher Joe Martinez rejoined his teammates Friday for the first time since getting hit in the head by a Mike Cameron line drive on April 9.
Martinez, who was hospitalized for nearly a week and suffered a concussion and three small hairline fractures on the right side of his head as a result of the play, was dressed in street clothes as he walked through the clubhouse before the Giants’ game against Arizona.
The 26-year-old right-hander had a black eye, but otherwise was unscathed. “I don’t have too many lasting side effects,” a smiling Martinez said. “I’m not dizzy. I don’t have any nausea. My vision’s good so I’m feeling good.”
Phillies honor Kalas
PHILADELPHIA – Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas was honored by the Philadelphia Phillies in a moving ceremony before Friday night’s game against San Diego.
Kalas died Monday in Washington after collapsing in the broadcast booth before a Phillies-Nationals game. He was 73.
After a video tribute, Kalas’ three sons, Todd, Brad and Kane, threw ceremonial pitches to Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt, John Kruk and Jimmy Rollins.
Kane Kalas then sang the national anthem while Rollins held a pair of Kalas’ customary white loafers and Chase Utley held Kalas’ blue sport coat.