Royals' Meche retires

KANSAS CITY, Kan., Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Kansas City pitcher Gil Meche, hampered by shoulder injuries the past two years, said Tuesday he is retiring.

Meche, 32, spent 10 years in the big leagues with the Royals and Seattle, producing an 84-83 record with a 4.49 earned run average. He went 0-4 with a 6.66 ERA in the nine starts last season and was 6-10 with a 5.09 ERA as a starter in 2009.

"I came into this game as a starting pitcher and unfortunately my health, more accurately, my shoulder, has deteriorated to the point where surgery would be the only option, and at this stage of my life I would prefer to call it a career rather than to attempt to pitch in relief for the final year of my contract," Meche said in a released statement.

"I can't thank the Kansas City Royals and their fans enough for my four seasons there, and if I have any regret, it's that we weren't able to accomplish on the field what the goal was when I signed there."

The Royals never finished higher than fourth in the AL Central during his four seasons with the team.

The right-hander was the American League Comeback Player of the Year in 2003 and made the all-star roster in 2007.