CHICAGO -- Hoping to revitalize Alex Gordon's offense, the Kansas City Royals are moving him on defense.

One day after the Royals optioned Gordon to Triple-A Omaha, Kansas City manager Trey Hillman said Gordon will shift from third base to left field in the minors.

"He's played it before, a long time ago. It's been a while," Hillman said Monday. "If I had to guess, as long as it goes OK, the majority of it would be in left."

Gordon, selected second overall in the 2005 amateur draft by the Royals, batted .194 with one homer and one RBI in 12 big league games this season. Hillman said he hopes changing positions will help Gordon at the plate.

The Royals moved Alberto Callaspo from second base to third when infielder Chris Getz was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list Friday.

If the 26-year-old Gordon finds his swing with Omaha, Hillman expects him to remain in left field.

"We need Alex to play. He is going to go down and do some work in left field, get some playing time in the field, some at first base," Hillman said. "Not going to ditch third entirely, but I'm hoping that a change in position will give him an opportunity to swing the bat a little bit better. For right now, we're better with Callaspo at third and with Getz at second. Hopefully both will contribute offensively.

"We will see how it goes."

Gordon's glove at third base was considered a plus when he was drafted out of Nebraska. He has made 44 errors in 329 major league games at third base, including four in 10 games this year.