"Third baseman Alex Gordon is heading to the minors to rebuild his swing, his season and perhaps his career.

The Royals optioned Gordon to Class AAA Omaha prior to Tuesday's game against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. The move cleared space for reliever Kyle Farnsworth's return from the disabled list.

"It's an opportunity for him to regain his sense of timing offensively and his rhythm defensively," general manager Dayton Moore said. "It gives him a chance to do that in Triple-A where it's not as fast."

The demotion represents the latest setback in a forgettable season for Gordon, who was once viewed as the cornerstone to the franchise's latest rebuilding effort. He returned Tuesday to Kansas City and is scheduled to join the O-Royals tonight in Tacoma.

"It will give him an opportunity to put a little joy back in the game by taking a little pressure off," manager Trey Hillman said. "He's just fighting himself. Hopefully, he'll come back in September and do some good things and finish up strong."

Gordon, 25, suffered a hip injury in the season opener, which was later diagnosed as a torn cartilage that required surgery. He missed nearly three months before returning after the All-Star break.

He is batting just .227 in 22 games since his return and was mired in a zero-for-13 skid when sent to Omaha. That slump dropped his season average to .198 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 29 games.

"I don't think his hip is bothering him," Moore said. "These things just take time. You've got to remember this guy missed three months and then had 20 days on a rehab assignment, and he couldn't play all 20.

"Then we put him in the major leagues at a time where everyone is performing at a peak level. It's been a struggle.""