Royals right-handed reliever Guillermo Mota announces his retirement

SURPRISE, AZ (March 2, 2014) - Kansas City Royals' right-handed pitcher Guillermo Mota has announced his retirement from professional baseball after a 14-year career in the Major Leagues. He signed a minor league contract with the Royals on January 16 with an invitation to Spring Training.

"I've always admired Guillermo as a person and a player. I'd like to thank him," Royals General Manager Dayton Moore said. "However, in talking with him, he indicated that he wanted to spend more time with his family."

Mota, 40, hadn't pitched in the Major Leagues since 2012 with the San Francisco Giants. He made 26 relief appearances for San Francisco that season, going 0-1 with a 5.23 ERA, recording 24 strikeouts in 20.2 innings. The right-handed reliever began his career in 1999 with the Montreal Expos and pitched for six other organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers (2002-04, 2009), Florida (2004-05), Cleveland (2006) New York Mets (2006-07), Milwaukee (2008) and San Francisco (2010-12). He was 39-45 in 743 appearances (all in relief) with a 3.94 ERA. Between 1999 and 2012, only five pitchers made more relief appearances than Mota.

For more information, members of the media may contact the Royals Media Relations Department at (816) 921-8000.