The World Baseball Classic kicked off with an unexpected twist when Chinese Taipei’s captain, Chieh-Hsien Chen, exited the game early due to an injury from a hit-by-pitch.
This incident unfolded during the sixth inning of Wednesday’s game, where Australia claimed a 3-0 victory bolstered by solid defense.
As left-handed pitcher Jack O’Loughlin delivered a 94-mph fastball, Chen attempted a swing, but the pitch connected with his trailing hand. Reacting instinctively, Chen spun, dropped his bat, and immediately clasped his injured hand, collapsing before walking out of the batter’s box and removing his glove.
Taiwan’s captain Chieh-Hsien Chen had to leave the game after getting hit by a pitch pic.twitter.com/6pzRa7I0O6
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 5, 2026
Commentators noted the oddity of the injury, highlighting that Chen wore protection on his front hand. “His right hand, the bottom hand, had protection, yet it was the top hand that got hit, which is unusual,” one remarked, as medical staff quickly attended to him.
This incident marked Chen’s second World Baseball Classic appearance, following his participation in 2023. Unfortunately, it also signaled the need for the team to find a replacement outfielder.
During the qualifiers, Chen had showcased his skills, with four games played, 15 at-bats, three hits, two RBIs, and three runs. His defensive stats were also strong, making four putouts without any errors.
Chen wasn’t the only casualty for Chinese Taipei. The team also lost Hao-Yu Lee to a left oblique strain, further impacting their roster for the tournament.
With Australia securing the win, the Australian team will prepare for its next matchup against the Czech Republic, who fell to South Korea with a score of 11-4 to kick off the tournament. Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei is set to face off against Japan.
