"Third baseman Alex Gordon's return from a broken right thumb continues on schedule.

Gordon was assigned on Tuesday to begin an injury rehabilitation assignment with the Royals' Class A club at Wilmington, Del. He'll join the Blue Rocks on Thursday for a game at Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Injured on March 6 in a Cactus League game in Surprise, Ariz., Gordon was expected to be able to play by around Opening Day, which for the Royals, was on Monday. Now, a month after the injury, he appears to be ready. "