Taiwanese pitcher Teng Kai-wei. CNA file photo
Taipei, Jan. 10 (CNA) Teng Kai-wei (鄧愷威), the only Taiwanese pitcher to have appeared in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, has decided not to play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) to better prepare for the upcoming 2026 season.
"After making my MLB debut in 2024 and trying different roles while accumulating game experience in a more competitive environment in 2025, I have become more certain that my top priority at this stage is to make sure I execute every detail well so that I can move steadily toward my next goal," Teng said in a statement released through his agency on Friday.
Teng appeared in 12 MLB games over the past two seasons, including seven starts in eight outings in 2025. He struck out 46 batters while allowing 33 earned runs over 40 2/3 innings, posting a 7.30 earned run average (ERA).
The 27-year-old said the decision was a difficult one, but was made after carefully assessing his overall condition and long-term career plans. He also thanked Team Taiwan's coaching staff for the invitation and expressed appreciation for their understanding of and respect for his decision.
Commenting on Teng's absence, Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌), commissioner of Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), which oversees Team Taiwan's roster selection, said Saturday that while it was unfortunate not to have Teng on the squad, he respected the pitcher's choice.
Tsai added that he believed the coaching staff would "make the best of the players available" as preparations for the tournament continue.
Team Taiwan is scheduled to begin training on Thursday, though the team has yet to announce its provisional 43-man roster.
Despite possessing breaking balls with sharp movement, Teng struggled at times with control, issuing 25 walks and hitting eight batters during that span. In his only WBC appearance to date, against Panama in 2023, he loaded the bases as a reliever after throwing seven pitches and was promptly removed from the game.
Even so, Teng's résumé has established him as one of Taiwan's top pitching talents.
Following the announcement, South Korean media outlet MK Sports reported that Teng's absence would benefit South Korea, which is grouped with Taiwan in the first round of the WBC.
"The news of Teng Kai-wei's absence is good news for South Korea," the report said, adding that Taiwan is an opponent South Korea must defeat to advance to the next round.
In addition to South Korea, Taiwan will face defending champion Japan, the Czech Republic and Australia in group play, with only the top two teams advancing to the quarterfinals.
more OCAC News, welcome to
OCACNEWS.NET.
