Chinese Taipei captain Chen Jie-xian suffers left hand fracture, ruled out of Japan game; expresses frustration: "Very unwilling"

The highly anticipated Taiwan-Japan clash in Group C of the 2026 World Baseball Classic took place on the evening of March 6 at the Tokyo Dome. Chinese Taipei captain Chen Jie-xian was seen entering the stadium before the game with tape on his left-hand fingers, raising concerns about his injury. Earlier, Chinese Taipei announced its starting lineup, with Chen not included on the list. Lin An-ke replaced him in right field, confirming his absence from this high-profile matchup.

Chen Jie-xian was hit by a pitch on his left index finger during his third at-bat in the top of the sixth inning in the March 5 game against Australia, immediately leaving the field for treatment. His finger was already bandaged upon departure, and he subsequently went to the hospital for examination. After the game, head coach Tseng Hao-chu stated that the team's medical staff had provided initial emergency treatment, but the specific condition required further observation.

Chinese Taipei later provided an update on the injury. The team physician indicated a distal fracture in Chen Jie-xian's left index finger, currently immobilized with a cast for ongoing observation. Further developments will depend on the assessment of medical examination results.

As the captain and a core hitter for Chinese Taipei, Chen Jie-xian typically held the crucial third spot in the batting order. His confirmed absence from the starting lineup is certain to impact the team's strength. Regarding the injury occurring during a major international tournament, he admitted to mixed emotions: "I'm very unwilling to get injured in this situation. Everyone knows my personality; I wouldn't give up that easily."

Chen Jie-xian stated that he will continue to monitor his physical condition and hopes to争取 playing opportunities in subsequent games if within his capabilities. "If it's within my ability, I will strive to try and get on the field. I really look forward to the chance to perform tomorrow or the day after, if the opportunity arises."

He also emphasized that his desire to play isn't just for personal reasons, but stems from a wish to contribute to the team and the fans. "It's not just for myself, but for the team as well. I also don't want to let down the fans who came all the way from Taiwan to Japan to support us." However, he added that the decision on whether he plays will be jointly evaluated by the coaching staff and medical team. "This is a world-class tournament; it's not up to me alone. I will respect the judgment of the coaching staff and medical personnel."

Speaking about the originally anticipated Taiwan-Japan showdown, Chen Jie-xian also expressed considerable regret, particularly about missing the chance to face Japanese ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. "Actually, I was really looking forward to facing Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Everyone knows his ability."

He also mentioned that overseas stars like Shohei Ohtani and Seiya Suzuki are players he deeply respects. "It's not easy for Asian players to make their way in the United States. Being able to establish themselves firmly in the Major Leagues is truly impressive. I have great respect for them."

Although unable to play in this game, Chen Jie-xian said he will fully support his teammates from the sidelines. "Today, I'll watch my teammates compete hard from the dugout and also hope to observe some aspects of the game."