Chinese Taipei captain Chieh-Hsien Chen exits against Australia after hit by pitch

March 05, 2026 - 12:02am

Taiwan's Chen Chieh-hsien reacts after getting hit by a pitch by Australia's pitcher Jack O'Loughlin in the sixth inning of a World Baseball Classic game in Tokyo, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Chinese Taipei's lineup took a big blow in the opening game of the World Baseball Classic.

Captain Chieh-Hsien Chen exited in the sixth inning against Australia after being hit by a pitch on his left hand.

Chen plays for Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the CPBL, where he's hitting .277/.357/.391 with four homers and 36 RBI this season.

This is the outfielder's second WBC. He hit .357/.438/.643 with a 1.080 OPS in 2023.

Chinese Taipei's lineup also lost Detroit Tigers infield prospect Hao-Yu Lee on Wednesday as he was removed from the roster due to a left oblique strain.

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