TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s national baseball team arrived in Miyazaki, Japan, to prepare for the World Baseball Classic, with two warm-up games scheduled against Japanese professional clubs this week, per CNA.
Taiwan will face the Orix Buffaloes and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks beginning Monday as part of its final preparations. The team is set to play Japan on Friday at the Tokyo Dome.
According to Japanese media outlet Tokyo Sports, Japan has arranged for manager Kaneko Makoto and pitching coach Tanaka Daisuke to observe warm-up games involving Taiwan and South Korea, scouting potential top-tier group opponents.
Pitcher Lin Yu-min (林昱珉), who plays in the Arizona Diamondbacks minor league system, recently joined the team in Japan. He told reporters he has added about five kilograms this year, increasing both muscle mass and pitching velocity, and is focused on refining his control, per CNA.
Asked whether he might start Taiwan’s opening game against Australia, Lin laughed and said, “Anything is possible.” He acknowledged feeling fatigued after a long flight, adding that Sunday’s practice session was light to help players loosen up and adjust.
Lin said he has been following the team’s progress and noted a positive atmosphere within the squad. A regular on national teams since his youth, he said competing in the World Baseball Classic has long been a goal and that he looks forward to representing Taiwan on the international stage.
Infielder Lee Hao-yu (李灝宇), from the Detroit Tigers minor league system, also joined practice in Japan. Lee said he is in shape for the upcoming season and, in addition to his primary position at second base, can also play third base. He said it is an honor to reunite with longtime teammates such as Lin on the national team, per CNA.
Lee admitted experiencing jet lag during Sunday’s session but still managed to hit a home run at Sokken Stadium. Although he has struggled in spring training with the Tigers, Lee said the preseason is a time for adjustment rather than results. He added that he has made progress with his hitting rhythm and contact point and is not concerned about his form.
On his first day of practice, Lee said he was unfamiliar with the all-black clay infield surface and discussed fielding and throwing adjustments with fellow infielder Cheng Tsung-che (鄭宗哲), who also plays in the US minor leagues.
