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 GM 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 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 reliever began his career in 1999 with the Expos and pitched for six other organizations: Dodgers (2002-04, 2009), Marlins (2004-05), Indians (2006) Mets (2006-07), Brewers (2008) and Giants (2010-12).