Alex Gordon had surgery on his wrist on December 30th and will be limited in Spring Training. According to Andy McCullough, Gordon and the Royals are optimistic about him starting on Opening Day, but he could be limited to drills and little hitting in Spring Training as Ned Yost eases him into the lineup. Gordon’s surgery was a wrist extensor retinaculum repair. This was a surgery to repair an injury from just before the All-Star Game in July, causing him to miss the All-Star game. Just before Christmas, the injury resurfaced and surgery was required.
Fantasy Impact
Gordon is more known for his superior defensive abilities but he has also been a very good player for fantasy purposes as well. Gordon bounced back from a rough 2013 season with a .783 OPS and 54 extra base hits in 2014, adding 12 steals as well. In 2011 and 2012 combined, Gordon had 96 doubles and a .850 OPS, showing what his full potential is when healthy. Gordon was on pace for 45 doubles at the All-Star break last year as well, but his wrist injury sapped a lot of his power. If Gordon does miss time, Jarrod Dyson will likely play left field in his place. Dyson has posted three consecutive seasons with 30 or more steals in limited time, so there is a good potential for early season steals if he has a starting spot. If Gordon makes it through Spring Training healthy, though, he could be as highly rated as a 7th round pick, combining a OPS in the high-.700 or low-.800s and double-digit steals.
