Team Taiwan Loses Three Top Players
Three players reportedly opted out of playing for Taiwan in the World Baseball Classic
Ahead of Team Taiwan’s training camp scheduled to start in just a few days, there is some disappointing news for its odds in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC). This past week, it has been reported that three invitees will not be playing in the WBC, including San Francisco Giants right-handed pitcher Kai-Wei Teng.
A summary of what they said and what it means for Team Taiwan:
RHP Kai-Wei Teng, through his agent, announced on Friday that he will not be playing in the WBC this year. He mentioned his MLB campaigns over the past two years and emphasized his desire to prioritize preparing for the upcoming season with the Giants. It is worth noting that Teng’s sole appearance in 2023 resulted in three runs (two earned) with no outs against Panama.
RHP Tzu-Peng Huang has not officially confirmed his status, but he is reportedly prioritizing spring training with his new team, the TSG Hawks, which kicked off on Saturday. Although there is still a possibility that Huang shows up to training camp on Thursday, the ambiguous responses thus far from both Huang and the Hawks about his participation suggest that is doubtful. Huang was a major contributor in both the 2023 WBC and the 2024 Premier12. He recorded a win against the Netherlands in 2023 and another against the Dominican Republic in 2024.
OF Li Lin, through his agency, confirmed he will not play in the WBC due to injuries. Lin, who just renewed his contract with the Rakuten Monkeys, has historically been an offensive machine for Taiwan. He flashed his slugging abilities against Australia in the 2024 Premier12, collecting four hits including a three-run home run.
With more than a handful of players abroad contributing to the team’s depth, particularly in pitching, dynamics with MLB clubs remain an outsized complicating factor for the roster.
Other notable players at risk of “decommitting” or opting out of playing for Taiwan include Detroit Tigers prospect infielder Hao-Yu Lee, who may be vying for a major league spot after Andy Ibáñez’s exit, and Arizona Diamondbacks prospect left-handed pitcher Yu-Min Lin, who is a probable non-roster invitee to spring training.
Phase one of the national team training camp starts on Thursday in Kaohsiung, and up to 30 players of the unpublished 43-man roster are projected to report. The good news is that, per manager Hao-Jiu Tseng, nearly all invitees playing in NPB are expected to play.
We are less than two months away from the WBC. Stay tuned for additional updates to the Team Taiwan roster.
Covering the bases
Former MLB and CPBL pitcher Chin-Hui Tsao, age 44, has signed with the Fuzhou Sea Knights in China’s new spring league. Carlos Muñoz, Team USA bullpen catcher in the 2023 WBC and 2024 Premier12, will serve as the Uni-President Lions’ spring training guest catching coach.