Chinese Taipei team confirms Sung Cheng-jui as replacement; head coach Tseng Hao-chu expresses gratitude to all contributors.

The Chinese Taipei squad is set to leave for Japan on February 28, gearing up for the 2026 Sixth World Baseball Classic starting March 5. Head coach Tseng Hao-chu today revealed the substitute for the spot opened by Jonathon Long's exit, finalizing the addition of CTBC Brothers outfielder Sung Cheng-jui to the team's ultimate preparation lineup.

"From the start of training until now, this marks the conclusion of one phase, and the next stage of our mission is about to begin," stated Tseng Hao-chu. He expressed sincere thanks to everyone for their efforts throughout the journey, regardless of whether they made the final cut. He specifically noted: "After today, they will return to their home teams. Those who learned they weren't on the list were understandably disappointed. Yet, it is precisely because of these players that the team gradually came together and built its cohesion."

Tseng Hao-chu acknowledged that during training and the 2026 Taiwan-Japan baseball international exhibition series, Sung Cheng-jui maintained the best form, leading to his eventual selection. "Whether it was Sung Cheng-jui, Chiu Chih-cheng, Tai Pei-feng, or others, they all understood their roles during the preparation process. In the final selection stage, Cheng-jui's overall condition remained consistently strong, so after discussion, he was chosen."

Although the results of the recent Taiwan-Japan exhibition games were not as hoped, ending in defeats, head coach Tseng Hao-chu still hopes the players can learn from the experience and demonstrate their growth in the official tournament. "We've identified areas for improvement, and we aim to carry the positive aspects into the games. At this stage, everyone needs to have greater confidence in their own abilities."