Royals' Sanders to have season-ending surgery

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Royals outfielder Reggie Sanders will undergo season-ending knee surgery, after leaving in the ninth inning of Thursday night's 8-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians.

The 38-year-old Sanders will have surgery to repair a partial tear of his left patellar tendon and to treat a synovial cyst under the bottom portion of his left knee cap.

The Royals on Friday placed Sanders on the 15-day disabled list and called up utility player Jeff Keppinger from Class AAA Omaha to fill his roster spot.

After the St. Louis Cardinals declined to re-sign Sanders in the offseason, the veteran outfielder signed a two-year deal with Kansas City in January. But he has hit only .246 this season, well below his career average, with 11 homers and 49 RBIs.

On Thursday, the Royals announced first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz will undergo back surgery on Aug. 29 to remove a portion of the herniated disc that has been causing Mientkiewicz to lose strength in one leg.

The 32-year-old Mientkiewicz, who signed with Kansas City in December, has been on the disabled list since July 26. He hit .283 with four homers this year.