CPBL: Fubon Guardians Activate Rookie Chen Pin-hung for Starting Debut

The Fubon Guardians are set to unleash rookie left-handed pitcher Chen Pin-hung in their upcoming game, a move that has generated considerable anticipation. This marks a significant return for Chen, who hasn't pitched in a top-team game for the Guardians in a staggering 553 days, last appearing on October 8, 2024. His debut in the starting rotation will fill the void left by Chiang Kuo-hao, who was recently moved to the second team.

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Today, we will adjust the pitch count depending on the situation, hoping he can pitch the basic innings for a starting pitcher.

Pitching coach Hsu Ming-chieh has expressed strong confidence in Chen's readiness, citing his excellent performance during spring training. The team had a strategic plan to integrate him into the rotation earlier, but weather-related delays postponed his much-awaited start. Hsu indicated that the team will monitor his pitch count closely during the game, with the primary goal of having him complete the essential innings expected of a starting pitcher.

Chen was selected by the Guardians in the fourth round of the 2024 mid-season draft. This season, he has only made one appearance in the second team on March 27, pitching 3.2 innings. While his second-team stats show 10 starts out of 13 appearances last year, this will be his inaugural start in the top-tier CPBL league. Coach Hsu emphasized that due to it being his first start at this level, the team won't push him to throw an excessive number of pitches but still expects him to contribute significantly to ease the burden on the bullpen, especially as it's the first game of the week.

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Chen Pin-hung's adjustment in spring training has been very good. Because he looks suitable for starting, the team followed the plan to put him in the rotation. We originally planned for him to play earlier, but it was postponed due to rain.

The Guardians are also gradually integrating other domestic pitchers, Chen Shih-peng and Huang Po-hao, back into the second team's rotation, with plans to extend their innings. Japanese pitcher Abe Yudai has also shown promising form in the second team, though there are no immediate plans for his promotion to the top team.

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Because it's his first start in the top team, we won't ask him to pitch too many innings, but we still hope he can pitch as many innings as a starting pitcher should, to reduce the burden on the relief pitchers. After all, this is the first game of the week, and we don't want to use too many bullpen pitchers.