Dropping Alex Gordon in the lineup created revolving door in the leadoff spot.

Second baseman Chris Getz got the call Friday night primarily because he’d has a history of success against Chris Sale, going six for 11 with two strikeouts in prior meetings.

But Getz won’t fill that role again after he left the series-opener with the White Sox in the fifth inning after breaking his left thumb on a bunt attempt against Sale, a second-year left-hander and Cy Young Award candidate.

Getz remained in the game to finish the at-bat, striking out to end an 0-for-3 night at the plate, but was replaced in the top of the sixth inning when the Royals went out on defense.

The Royals announced that Getz would miss the rest of the season. He is scheduled to have KU Medical Center’s Bruce Toby surgically repair the thumb Saturday.

Utility infielder Tony Abreu, who started at third base, shifted to second and regular third baseman Mike Moustakas came off the bench.

Moustakas gets break

Pre-game plans had called for Moustakas to get some rest, perhaps even prolonged rest.

Yost indicated that the slumping second-year slugger might be in line for some time off, but those plans are in limbo with the impending roster shuffling after Getz’s injury.

Moustakas, whose eighth-inning single off White Sox starter Chris Sale igniting the game-winning rally, is still battling soreness in his right knee. The injury occurred July 28 when he made a diving stop on a grounder by Casper Wells of the Mariners.

Moustakas returned to the lineup after only two days off, but hasn’t been able to shake a slump that started with that seven-game West Coast road swing through Anaheim and Seattle.

“I’m trying to get comfortable,” Moustakas said. “I’m trying to get my feet back in the box and be comfortable. That’s the whole problem with hitting. That first step in the box, you have to get comfortable. Right now, I can’t seem to get in there and get relaxed. I’ve been battling myself and a lot of other things.”

During the last 20 games, Moustakas has only 12 hits in 71 at-bats – a .169 average – and his run production has declined as well with only two doubles, two home runs and four RBIs.

“It’s such a long grinding season and things happen throughout the year that you can’t control,” Moustakas said. “You just try to go about everything the same way. Sometimes things will click and sometimes they won’t. Right now, it’s not clicking.”

Yost clarifies Gordon’s role

Yost clarified remarks about dropping Gordon to the No. 3 spot.

Long-term he sees the left fielder and former No. 2 overall draft pick as a middle-of-the-order hitter, but the third spot remains first baseman Eric Hosmer’s in a perfect world.

“(Gordon) projects long-term three, four or five,” Yost said. “Long-term, Hos is probably going to be our No. 3 hitter. Gordon will probably move down to four or five.”

Speaking of Hosmer

Hosmer didn’t start against Sale on Friday after fouling a ball off his leg Thursday night. But his likeness will be everywhere on Saturday.

The first 20,000 fans Saturday will receive a Hosmer-approved bobblehead, “The Wizard of Hoz,” which depicts the second-year slugger standing on a yellow-brick road.

“I love it,” Hosmer said. “It looks great. Whoever did the artwork and stuff, it’s pretty dead on. For any baseball player, it’s pretty cool to see little kids collecting bobbleheads, and to see one of yourself. I’ll definitely add one to my mantel, too.”

Hosmer’s likeness is complete with a full beard and gold chain around his neck.

“I don’t mind the chops at all,” said Hosmer. “They tried to make it dead on, and they got my gold necklace in there, too. They did a good job.”

Minor details

Jason Adam, a Blue Valley Northwest graduate who pitches for Class A Wilmington, checks in fourth on the latest Baseball America Prospect Hot Sheet for Aug. 10-16.

Adam allowed only one unearned run in 13 innings with six hits and a walk. He also struck out 11 in lowering his ERA to 3.64.

Meanwhile, Juan Carlos Sulbaran, whom the Royals acquired from the Reds in the Jonathan Broxton trade, has trended the other way.

Making his third start with Class AA Northwest Arkansas, Sulbaran allowed 11 earned runs in three innings, coughing up nine hits and three home runs.

Looking back

It was 29 years ago today Saturday — Aug. 18, 1983 — that the Royals and Yankees completed the Pine Tar Game, which ended the first time when George Brett was called out for having too much pine tar on the bat he used to sock a the go-ahead two-run home run.

After the Royals’ successful protest, the game resumed with two outs in the top of the ninth. The Yankees got the legitimate final out before Dan Quisenberry came on to close out a 5-4 win with a perfect bottom of the ninth.