"Royals pitcher Gil Meche announced today that he is retiring from baseball. He will be walking away from $12.4 million he was due this season.

Meche signed a five-year deal with the Royals in December 2006 and had a 29-39 record with a 4.27 ERA in 111 games. He has struggled with shoulder injuries in the past two seasons, making just 43 appearances.

Meche explained his decision in a statement, citing his health issues.

"After a lot of thinking and prioritizing of issues in my life, I have decided to retire from baseball. As a competitor my entire life this is the hardest decision that I've ever faced, but it's not fair to me, my family or the Kansas City Royals that I attempt to pitch anymore."