"The Royals' chances this season depended on a list of things to go their way, including a breakout season from Alex Gordon. They know they won't get that now, not for a while, at least. Gordon will undergo surgery this morning to repair a tear in his right hip labrum.

The labrum is a piece of cartilage attached to the hip socket.

The news confirmed the Royals' worst fears. Gordon first felt tightness after the season opener and came close to going on the disabled list early this week before trying to play through the pain.

There won't be a timetable on Gordon's return until after the surgery, but Yankees star Alex Rodriguez is expected to have about a nine-week rehab after a similar procedure.

"It really all depends on how the surgery goes and whatever," Gordon said. "All I can say is: It depends on how (surgery) goes. I'll know more after it happens. I do know I have to do some rehab, but I'll have time to make it back for some part of the season. It's not a season-ender."

Gordon's surgery will be performed by Marc Philippon, a Colorado doctor who did Rodriguez's procedure. Philippon has treated Greg Norman, Mario Lemieux and Priest Holmes and is sometimes known as the "hip doctor to the stars."

No two injuries are exactly the same, but Rodriguez's surgery was performed March 9, and doctors project a May 15 return. Philippon told reporters there was an 85 percent to 90 percent chance that Rodriguez could play the rest of the season, though the slugger will need a second surgery when the season is over.

If Gordon's timetable turns out to be similar, he might be playing again toward the end of June.

"He tried to play through some things," general manager Dayton Moore said. "He's got a pretty high tolerance.""