Carlos Guillen, 3-time all-star, retires

PEORIA, Ariz., March 6 (UPI) -- Utility player Carlos Guillen, a three-time all-star over a 14-year major league career, Tuesday announced his retirement from baseball.

Injuries limited Guillen's playing time to 177 games over the last three seasons and he was invited to spring training this year with Seattle as a non-roster player.

"It's a tough decision," Guillen said Tuesday on the Mariners' Web site. "I tried to come back but I couldn't. I've been through a lot of injuries.

"You have to keep your head up and be in the right position to keep going but at this time, your body tells you, you know?"

Guillen, 36, began his career with Seattle in 1998 and moved to Detroit after six seasons. He played eight years with the Tigers but missed the first half of last season because of knee surgery. He also injured a wrist and appeared in just 28 games.

Guillen was used mostly as a shortstop but played all four infield positions and also 48 games in left field in his career.

He hit .285 with 124 home runs and 600 runs batted in over 1,305 major-league games. He was an all-star selection in 2004, 2007 and 2008 while with Detroit.

Guillen appeared in the playoffs in 2000 and 2001 with Seattle and was a member of Detroit's American League championship team in 2006.