The Royals have lost 3B Alex Gordon for the next 3-4 weeks after he broke his thumb over the weekend. Look for Alberto Callaspo and Josh Fields to duke it out at 3B until Gordon is ready to return to action. It looks as if Gordon will start the 2010 season on the D.L. If that happens look for the Royals to send him out on a rehab assignment to help him get his timing back.

The Royals have lost 23-year old righty swinging 2B/SS Jeff Bianchi for the 2010 season as he needs Tommy John Surgery. Bianchi is the Royals’ #11 prospect coming into this season according to Baseball America. Bianchi played in 128 games in A+AA ball last season and he was 151 of 490 (.308 avg, .792 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 9 homers, 70 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. This will likely hurt Bianchi’s ascension through the minors but he is still a good prospect.

The Royals have shut down 28-year old righty starting pitcher Brian Bannister due to shoulder fatigue. Bannister started 26 games for the Royals this season and he was 7-12 with a 4.73 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. In his last six starts, however, Bannister was 0-5 with a 9.29 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. This was a good move for both the Royals and Bannister.

The Royals have placed Coco Crisp on the 15-day disabled list with a right rotator cuff strain. Crisp has played in 49 games this season for the Royals and he is 41 for 180 (.228 avg, .714 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 3 homers, 14 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. The Royals will miss Crisp’s speed and defense while he is out of action. Crisp will be replaced in CF by Mitch Maier. Maier has played in 42 games this season for the Royals and he is 16 for 73 (.219 avg, .628 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 6 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.

The Royals have placed starting shortstop Mike Aviles on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right forearm. Aviles has played in 36 games this season for the Royals and he is 22 for 120 (.183 avg, .458 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 1 homer and 8 RBIs. The Royals hope his injury winds up being a valid excuse because they can’t afford for him to keep hitting below the Mendoza line when he gets back into action. Veteran utility man Willie Bloomquist and Luis Hernandez are getting a lot of P.T. while Aviles is out of action. Bloomquist has been a asset for the Royals so far this season. He has played in 33 games for the Royals and he is 25 for 84 (.298 avg, .776 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 1 homer, 6 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Luis Hernandez has a better glove than Bloomquist but he’s not much of a hitter. He has played in 7 games for the Royals this season and he is 3 for 15 (.200 avg, .450 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI.