Teng Kai-wei was the only Taiwanese player to make an opening day roster in MLB when its season began in the US yesterday.
The Houston Astros included the 27-year-old right-hander on their opening day roster as a multi-inning reliever in the bullpen.
The decision makes Teng, a Taichung native, the first Taiwanese pitcher in seven years to earn a spot on an MLB opening day roster, following now-retired left-hander Chen Wei-yin, who did so with the Miami Marlins in 2019.
Photo: AP
The most recent Taiwanese position player to make an MLB opening day roster was utility infielder Yu Chang (Chang Yu-cheng), who achieved that feat in 2023 with the Boston Red Sox.
During the recently concluded spring training, Teng recorded seven strikeouts over 10-2/3 innings across six appearances, while issuing six walks and hitting one batter.
He allowed three runs on three hits — including two home runs — posting a 1-0 record and a 2.53 ERA.
Houston acquired Teng in a January trade with the San Francisco Giants following a season in which he posted a 2-4 record, a 6.37 ERA, and 39 strikeouts in 29-2/3 innings.
Teng spent most of his Minor League career as a starting pitcher in the farm systems of the Minnesota Twins and the Giants before transitioning to a bullpen role two years ago.
More than 20 Taiwanese players are active within the US professional baseball system affiliated with the MLB, most of them at Triple-A level or below.
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