SURPRISE, Ariz. — Royals third baseman Alex Gordon is expected to be sidelined three to four weeks because of a broken right thumb.
Gordon was injured when he slid headfirst into second base on an attempted steal in the second inning of the Royals’ 2-1 victory over the Rangers on Saturday.
Gordon had hip surgery last April and played in only 49 games in 2009, hitting .232 with six homers and 22 RBIs.
Gordon, who bats left and throws right, is unable to swing or throw but can do cardio work and field groundballs. It is doubtful he will be ready for the Royals’ season opener against the Tigers.
Nathan’s elbow acting up
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Twins closer Joe Nathan is headed back to Minnesota to get his surgically repaired right elbow checked out.
Nathan said he felt fine while he was working out before spring training games. But there was some soreness when he threw 20 pitches against the Red Sox on Saturday.
Nathan was 2-2 with a 2.10 ERA with a career-high 47 saves last year.
• The Twins signed pitcher Nick Blackburn to a four- year, $14 million contract.
Injury will idle Martin
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dodgers catcher Russell Martin is expected to miss opening day after an MRI revealed a pulled groin.
Martin first felt discomfort during a running drill a few days before the Dodgers’ first spring game Friday.
Footnotes.
Cubs reliever Angel Guzman is considering whether to have shoulder surgery even though he has been told the procedure won’t necessarily save his career.
• Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Webb, who is coming off shoulder surgery, played catch. But it’s unclear when he will throw again.
The Associated Press
