Outfielder Alex Gordon declines option with Royals for 2016

Outfielder Alex Gordon has turned down his player option with the Kansas City Royals for the 2016 season, making him a free agent. He is free to sign with any club beginning on Friday at 11 p.m. CT.

Gordon, 31, was selected second overall by Kansas City in the 2005 MLB First-Year Player Draft and has been named to each of the last three All-Star Games. Despite missing 48 games due to injury this year, the four-time Rawlings Gold Glove outfielder batted .271 with 18 doubles, 13 homers and 48 RBI in 104 games. He played in all 16 postseason games, hitting .241 with four doubles, two homers and six RBI. He blasted a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game #1 of this year's World Series, with the Royals prevailing 5-4 in 14 innings.

Following today's moves, the Royals' reserve list is at 32 with three players - left-handed pitchers Tim Collins, Brian Flynn and Jason Vargas - on the 60-day disabled list.