Royals' Yost will rest Gordon when possible until wrist fully heals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Royals manager Ned Yost said he would likely rest Alex Gordon for Thursday's series finale against the White Sox, instead inserting Paulo Orlando into the lineup.
Yost said he would look to spell Gordon, who is still recovering from offseason wrist surgery, early on in the season, especially during day games after night games. Thursday's tilt starts at 1 p.m.
The fact that Chicago is pitching left-hander John Danks makes the decision easier, Yost said.
"If he was feeling good and they had a right-hander going, we probably would push him that one day," Yost said. "On a day they're pitching a guy like Danks who we haven't had that much success against, it's a good opportunity to get Paulo Orlando in."
Yost said Gordon came up to him late during Monday's season opener and told him, 'If my wrist feels this good, I'm not going to need any days off.' Still, Yost and the Royals will be careful with Gordon early in the season.
"We gotta be mindful of the fact that we can set him back a few days if we push him too far," Yost said. "I think it's important, if you're going to err, err on the side of caution early until he gets that strength built up in his wrist and he's ready to go."
Yost recalled an instance during the last week of spring training when Gordon ripped a single in his first at-bat before the wrist gradually became more sore throughout the game. He missed the next two games.
Kansas City might have another opportunity to rest Gordon on Sunday in Anaheim. Sunday's 2:35 p.m. game follows Saturday's 8:05 p.m. start and the Angels will send left-hander C.J. Wilson to the hill for the series finale.
Orlando has not appeared in a major league game and will become just the third Brazilian-born player ever (joining Yan Gomes and Andre Rienzo) to play in the majors. Orlando, a right-handed hitter, spent nine seasons in the minors before making the Royals' roster this spring.
You can follow Matthew DeFranks on Twitter at @MDeFranks or email him at matthew.defranks@gmail.com.
