4 Alex Gordon LF

Gordon will bat leadoff and start in left field in Sunday's season finale against the Tigers.

The veteran left fielder announced earlier in the week he'll be retiring after Sunday's contest, so he'll receive another chance to hit leadoff in the final game of his career. Gordon enters the season finale with a .210/.301/.309 slash line with four homers in 49 games in 2020.

Gordon is officially retiring, effective Sunday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

The 36-year-old outfielder had quite a career, spending all 14 seasons in Kansas City while compiling 32.2 fWAR. He was an above-league-average hitter for his career (102 wRC+) and hit .257 with 190 home runs and 113 stolen bases. It's unclear if Gordon will play again down the stretch, but Franchy Cordero is an option to replace Gordon as a lefty hitting outfielder over the final four days of the season.

Gordon is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Cardinals.

Gordon has only started against two lefties all season, and he will predictably head to the bench with southpaw Austin Gomber starting for St. Louis. Edward Olivares will start in left field and bat seventh.

Gordon is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

For the second straight day, the Tigers will roll out a lefty starting pitcher (Tarik Skubal), so the lefty-hitting Gordon will take a seat once again. Edward Olivares will spell Gordon in left field.

Gordon isn't in Tuesday's lineup against the Tigers.

With left-hander Matthew Boyd starting for the Tigers, Gordon will get a day off Tuesday. Edward Olivares will shift to left field with Bubba Starling starting in center field.

Gordon is Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com Friday against the Pirates.

Gordon is 3-for-22 over his past five games and will head to the bench with southpaw Steven Brault pitching for Pittsburgh. Edward Olivares will shift to left field for the Royals, while Bubba Starling starts in center.

Gordon is not in Tuesday's lineup against Cleveland.

Gordon is hitting .286/.375/.457 with two home runs over his last 10 games. Hunter Dozier will start in left field while Jorge Soler starts in right and Ryan McBroom slots in at designated hitter.

Gordon went 3-for-5 in Friday's 6-5 loss to the White Sox.

All three knocks were singles, but the effort did snap an 0-for-12 mini-slump. Gordon's numbers on the year remain poor, however, and the veteran outfielder is slashing .196/.267/.315 with three homers, six RBI and seven runs over 28 games.

Gordon isn't in Tuesday's lineup against the Cardinals.

Gordon has gone hitless with one walk and one strikeout over eight at-bats during the past two games. In his place, Ryan McBroom will start in left field Tuesday.

Gordon went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-2 loss to the Twins.

His fifth-inning shot off Randy Dobnak got the Royals on the board, but they were already in a 4-0 hole at that point. Gordon's solid 2019 campaign is beginning to look like the proverbial dead cat bounce; through 24 games this season, the 36-year-old is slashing .200/.277/.347 with three homers and six RBI.

Gordon is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Reds.

Gordon went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts during the matinee, and he'll remain on the bench for the nightcap. Brett Phillips will enter the lineup in left field for the Royals in Game 2.

Gordon isn't in the lineup for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins.

Gordon started in the first game of Saturday's twin bill and went hitless with one strikeout in three at-bats. Hunter Dozier will shift to left field with Jorge Soler starting in right field for Game 2.

Gordon will not start Wednesday's game against the Reds, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

All three of Gordon's days off this season have come against lefties, though he has more than a true platoon role, as he's at least started against two of the five lefties the Royals have faced. Ryan McBroom will be the left fielder Wednesday.

Gordon went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's loss to the White Sox.

Gordon sat out Saturday's contest, but he was back in the lineup for the series finale Sunday. He gave the Royals an early lead against the White Sox with his first home run of the season, but the team was unable to maintain the lead late in the contest. The 36-year-old is hitting .214 with two extra-base hits and six strikeouts over 25 at-bats to begin the year.

Gordon is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

The Royals have faced three lefties this season, including Gio Gonzalez on Saturday, and Gordon has started against just one of them. Whit Merrifield will move to left field in his absence.

Gordon is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Tigers.

Gordon has grabbed just two hits in 16 at-bats through the first five games of the year. He'll get his first day off in this one, with Franchy Cordero taking his place in left field.

Gordon had a .300/.462/.350 slash line with one home run through 20 at-bats in spring training.

The veteran outfielder also had eight strikeouts in 26 plate appearances, but he may have just been shaking off the rust after posting the best strikeout rate (15.8 percent) of his career in 2019. Gordon re-signed with the Royals on a one-year deal in January and is poised to be the team's starter in left field for the 10th straight season.

Gordon agreed Wednesday with the Royals on a one-year, $4 million contract, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Though Gordon became a free agent when the Royals declined his $23 million option for 2020 earlier this offseason, the three-time All-Star never seemed to seriously entertain continuing his career anywhere other than Kansas City. As anticipated, the 35-year-old will be back with the Royals on a more club-friendly deal after he posted a .741 OPS -- his highest mark since 2015 -- this past season. Gordon can be penciled in as the Royals' Opening Day left fielder, though he may have a shorter leash atop the depth chart than he's enjoyed in previous seasons.

Gordon's $23 million club option for 2020 was declined by the Royals on Thursday, making him a free agent, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Although the team opted to buy Gordon out instead of exercising his option, Heyman reports that the team will attempt to bring him back at a more reasonable rate next season. The 35-year-old recorded a .741 OPS with 76 RBI last year.

Gordon is not in Sunday's lineup against the Twins.

Gordon will sit for the first time since Sept. 15. He has hit well over the last week, collecting seven hits in 26 plate appearances, driving in five and scoring three runs. The Royals will start an outfield of Whit Merrifield, Bubba Starling and Ryan McBroom in his place.