Royals' Gordon may hit leadoff in near future

The Kansas City Royals could have a new leadoff hitter for the stretch run.

Manager Ned Yost is considering Alex Gordon as his new leadoff man, but only after he feels confident the outfielder has fully recovered from a groin strain.

"He's still working his way back to full speed," Yost told reporters. "It's not his hitting. It's his running."

Gordon, who just returned to the lineup after missing a significant portion with a Grade 2 strain, has hit predominantly out of the No. 6 spot in Yost's lineup this year, but isn't a stranger to leading off. He had 487 at-bats at the top of order in 2013, hitting .255/.323/.415 with 16 homers and 63 RBIs while stealing eight bases.

Alcides Escobar has been Yost's exclusive leadoff man to this point, but his .300 on-base percentage is a far cry from Gordon's .396 mark this season.