Royals lose Jose Guillen to knee injury

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 24 (UPI) -- The Kansas City Royals have lost veteran outfielder Jose Guillen for as long as eight weeks because of a freak right knee injury, the team said Friday.

Guillen was injured before his first at-bat in Wednesday's 9-6 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. While preparing, Guillen felt a pop in the knee and a team doctor determined that he suffered a Grade 2 tear and a strained muscle behind the knee.

The Royals have placed Guillen, 33, on the 15-day disabled list and recalled outfielder Mitch Maier from their Triple-A Minor League affiliate at Omaha.

Third baseman Alex Gordon (hip) is expected to return from the disabled list shortly, while center fielder Coco Crisp (shoulder surgery) and shortstop Mike Aviles (right forearm strain) are out for the season.

"(The injuries) just keep coming," Manager Trey Hillman said on the team's Web site.