Gordon throwing, taking batting practice as he tries to come back from hip surgery

Gordon’s rehab progresses

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — At least the news is getting better off the field for the Kansas City Royals.

Mired in a miserable stretch that has dropped them from first to last in five weeks, the Royals are getting closer to getting several key players back from injuries.

It starts with third baseman Alex Gordon, who upped his rehab as he tries to come back from hip surgery.

Gordon, who had surgery April 17 to repair torn right hip cartilage, took about 60 groundballs, more than 30 batting practice swings and started light jogging at the Royals’ spring training complex in Surprise, Ariz., this week. There’s still no timetable for his return, but the Royals were glad to hear something positive about their power-hitting third baseman.

“He’s progressing good. No setbacks,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said. “He’s going to take it good and slow, just as the surgery requires.”

Gordon isn’t the only one making progress.

Catcher John Buck says he’s feeling better and has started doing exercises in the pool for a back injury that’s had him out since May 30. Right-hander Sidney Ponson, out since May 29 with a strained elbow, threw a bullpen session on Thursday and could throw another this weekend.

Righty reliever Robinson Tejeda, on the DL since May 20 with shoulder tendinitis, made it through his first rehab assignment at Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Wednesday without any setbacks.

And reliever Doug Waechter, who hasn’t pitched for the Royals since April 17, says his strained left oblique is feeling better and will likely start mound workouts soon.

The only player not making progress is shortstop Mike Aviles. He went on the DL on June 4 with a strained right forearm and will likely be restricted to no arm movement for another 5-6 days.