TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese pitcher Teng Kai-wei (鄧愷威) made his Major League debut for the San Francisco Giants, giving up three runs on four hits and three walks against the San Diego Padres on Sunday (March 31).

Teng was summoned to the mound as the Giants found themselves in a deep hole early in the game, down by nine runs after the first two innings. The 25-year-old from Taichung had only been called up a few days earlier from the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats before he was put in for mop-up duty.

Tabbed as a potential middle reliever for the Giants, Teng struggled at the outset, finding few answers to cool off Padre batters who swatted another three hits and drew three walks in the third inning. Soon, the Padres found themselves in a commanding 12-0 lead, per UDN.

In the fourth, Teng showed more poise, earning his first strikeout before surrendering a single to Xander Bogeart, with the inning ending with a pop-out. The fifth inning proceeded similarly, with a strikeout, a groundout, and a flyout.

After finishing three innings, the right-hander compiled a stat line that included 68 pitches, 39 strikes, and a combined 4.42 ERA. Teng’s fastest pitch topped out at 95.2 mph (153 kph).

In speaking to the media after the game, Teng said he was proud of regaining control of his emotions and making minor pitching adjustments after the third inning. "I thought I would not be too excited, but in that first inning, I couldn't help this feeling, and I couldn't control it," he said.

After the game, Teng admitted feeling a case of nerves in his first official inning in MLB. Giants Manager Bob Melvin said Teng pitched well and seemed more comfortable in the subsequent two innings of the game. 

Teng said his biggest weakness was giving up too many walks.

Teng plans to play an important role in the Giant's pitching rotation, which has already shown several holes at the start of the 2024 season. For the moment, Teng will be able to hold onto a 26-man roster spot until 36-year-old reliever Alex Cobb returns from the 15-day injured list due to a hip issue.