Royals’ Alex Gordon, Omar Infante both feel good after taking batting practice

The line drive sizzled into right field and the crowd surrounding Alex Gordon in the batter’s box took notice.

“Watch out,” Jarrod Dyson cried. “You’re gonna kill somebody.”

For the first time since his wintertime wrist surgery, Gordon took batting practice on Tuesday. He sprayed balls to all fields. He demonstrated his power stroke. He looked, in short, like Alex Gordon, two-time All Star and cornerstone of the Kansas City Royals roster.

“It felt OK,” Gordon said. “It felt like the first round of B.P. out on the field. A little rusty, but it was nice to be out there with the guys.”

Gordon was able to swing without limitations. He is unsure when he will play in his first Cactus League game this spring, but that milestone appears to be close. Gordon has been completing a steady progression as he returns to action. He expects to hit for a few more days, at least, before being cleared for a game.

Gordon was one of two Royals regulars to take part in a critical batting practice on Tuesday morning. Second baseman Omar Infante tested his sore right elbow during a successful session of his own.

Gordon pronounced his elbow at “close” to 100 percent, but declined to discuss specifically where he felt deficient. Infante provided an even more scientific answer for his readiness. He declared himself at 80 percent.

“Not 100 percent,” Infante said. “But more important, when I’m hitting I don’t feel (any pain).”

A recent MRI of Infante’s elbow discovered a bone spur. He received a cortisone shot over the weekend. Infante intends to play as the designated hitter in one of the Royals’ split-squad games on Wednesday. He hopes to resume his throwing program by Saturday. He indicated he needs 10 to 11 games in the field to feel ready for Opening Day.

Gordon also plans to be ready when the season begins. He said he has ceased looking at the schedule of his rehabilitation, as he does not want to get ahead of himself.

“I’ve been happy with the way it’s gone,” Gordon said. “It doesn’t feel 100 percent, but it’s getting there. I think (the training staff) has let me know that it’s not going to feel the best right away. You’re going to deal with aches and pains. Overall, it’s healthy again, and it’s where it’s supposed to be.”

This story was originally published March 10, 2015 at 2:55 PM with the headline "Royals’ Alex Gordon, Omar Infante both feel good after taking batting practice."