I would plant them very carefully the way they are. I believe that if you break off that sprout, they will not flower this year for you.

Thanks for the advice, Redpeony. I have planted them and am keeping my fingers crossed!

And be careful of digging early next spring. I had some I purchased on clearance with the stems all curved. I got some weak blooms from them. Last spring I saw how frost had pushed the bulb out of the ground so I thought, before it really starts growing, I'm going to bury it. Got a shovel, chose a spot a few inches away so as not to damage the bulb, sliced into the ground & heard a sickening crunch. Because the stem had curved, where it met the surface of the soil it grew some new bulbs. Of course, I chose a spot a few inches away HAD to be right where the original bulb was & I sliced right into it. It was a huge bulb, I replanted it, but needless to say, it didn't bloom last year.