Alex Gordon plays third base for the Kansas City Royals. He’s likely to start the season on the disable list due to a broken thumb. This is the third season in a row Gordon suffered a serious injury. The last two came sliding into second base. He tore the labral cartilage of the right hip in 2009, and the thumb sliding head first into second this season.

Gordon was developing nicely before the hip injury last season. His age 24 season saw a .260/.351/.432 slash line after monster numbers in the minors. The thumb injury is a serious setback, since it prevents him from swinging a bat until he heals.

Alex does need to hit well, because his fielding at the hot corner isn’t outstanding. If he becomes the high OBP, high power player his minor league numbers indicate, the Royals can live with his okay fielding. Otherwise, they’ll need to look for a new third baseman.