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Kansas City Royals: Medlen and Gordon Rehab Update

By Charles Lam

Apr 26, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) is congratulated by teammates after scoring in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels during a MLB game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) is congratulated by teammates after scoring in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels during a MLB game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kris Medlen and Alex Gordon are rehabbing at Double A Northwest Arkansas. Both guys should be back for the Kansas City Royals at some point this season. How are they doing?

Kris Medlen hasn’t looked good. He gave up four earned runs off six hits in 3.0 innings pitched. One of the six hits was a home run. He totaled three strikeouts and two walks as well.

He’s struggled for the whole season. Before the Kansas City Royals put him on the disabled list, he had an earned run average of 7.77 in 24 1/3 innings.

He’s started six games for the Royals. His only win came during his first start of the season on April 12th at the Houston Astros.

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It might take Medlen a few more starts in the minors to get his timing back. He might have to make a few mechanical adjustments before he can come back to the big leagues.

If he can make adjustments and pitch better, the Kansas City Royals could find a spot for him in the bullpen or maybe the starting rotation as a spot starter.

Alex Gordon’s looking like the player the Royals are used to seeing. In two rehab games for the Naturals, he’s gone 3-6 with a home run and a double. He’s struck out twice and walked once.

The extra base hits indicate his hand bone doesn’t seem to be bothering him. Hitting the ball with a baseball bat causes a vibration in the hands that would aggravate a problem in his hand if there were a problem. Thankfully it seems he’s doing fine.

Here’s a video of the home run Gordon hit yesterday for the Naturals via Royals beat reporter, Rustin Dodd.

The video shows Gordon turning on a fastball. He blasts the ball over the right field fence for a solo home run.

Gordon could be back for the Kansas City Royals as soon as Friday. He’ll need a few at bats in the minors before then, tweets Royals beat reporter Jeffrey Flanagan.

Rustin Dodd speculates that Gordon could be head to Triple A Omaha for the remainder of the at bats.

Hopefully Gordon will replicate his success in Triple A. If he does so, the Royals should have a healthy and ready Alex Gordon primed for success at the major league level.

Before the injury put him on the disabled list, Gordon struggled. In 42 games he slashed .211/.319/.331. He struck out 50 times as well.

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The good news is he took a few walks and wasn’t afraid to get hit by a pitch to get on base. He walked 16 times and got drilled seven times which helped raise his on base percentage to a respectable .319.

When Gordon returns, I think he should bat second in the lineup. Even if he continues to struggle offensively, he gets on base. Guys batting at the top of the order “set the table” for the other guys to drive them in.

Gordon’s .319 OBP is 51 points higher than current two hole hitter, Alcides Escobar (Esky). With Gordon as the two hitter and Esky moved to the bottom third of the line up, the Kansas City Royals offense should score runs more consistently.

Next: KC Royals: Top Ten Rookie Seasons Of All-Time

With the return of Kris Medlen and Alex Gordon, the Kansas City Royals will get better soon. Currently the Royals are one game behind the Cleveland Indians for first place in the American League Central division. With those guys healthy and playing better, the Royals will compete for the division title again this season.

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