Major League Baseball: Kansas City Royals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. Nine years ago, Alex Gordon opted for surgery. A discomfort in his hip wouldnt vanish, and so at 25 years old, an entire career in front of him, Gordon chose the long-term route.
This time, hes hoping a different option will prove just as effective. The Royals placed Gordon on the disabled list on Tuesday with a labral tear in his left hip, an injury he suffered on a slide into second base in Cleveland over the weekend.
Although its the opposite hip that required surgery in 2009, the injury is nearly identical, he acknowledged Thursday, his first time speaking with the media since the injury. But rather than going through another operation, Gordon is hopeful a medical injection will solve the discomfort.
Honestly, kinda the same, Gordon said when comparing the feeling of the two hip injuries. But I feel like Im in a different stage in my career right now where surgerys kinda the last thing I wanna do right now.
Gordon, who was hitting .174 (4 for 23) with a double through seven games, felt a twinge as he slid into second base in Sundays game against the Indians in Cleveland. He thought perhaps his body had locked up from the cold weather. But when he awoke Monday, the irritation remained.
After diagnosing the injury, the Royals medical staff determined Gordon could rest and return without surgery, an option that many players with labral tears favor.
Get the shot, hopefully it heels quickly and I can go out there and play without any pain, Gordon said. I know a lot of guys do it, so hopefully it responds well.
After receiving the shot three days ago, Gordon said he already feels pretty good, but hes yet to truly test the hip. He has been prescribed rest.
That will change later this week, as soon as Friday, when his rehab will begin to include exercises and training activities. Afterwards, Gordon will have a better idea if the injection will be enough.
Theyre pretty optimistic about it, Gordon said of the teams training staff. The first thing they said is this doesnt have to be surgery. That was a good sign. You hear labral tear, and you kinda get down in the dumps. But they said that. They said (they) dont think its gonna be surgery. So thats a good sign.
