Uni-Lions pitcher exits without throwing a pitch after back injury

Uni-Lions pitcher Rui Li-shi became the fifth starting pitcher in league history to leave a game without throwing a pitch.

The unusual substitution came during the Uni-Lions’ away game against the Fubon Guardians at Taipei Dome. Rui had been named the starter, but after the Uni-Lions finished batting in the top of the first inning, manager Lin Yue-ping signaled to the home-plate umpire that he would make a change. Lin Yi-ting took over for the inning.

The Uni-Lions said Rui hurt his lower back during his pregame bullpen session. The team added that he would receive medical attention and provide further information later.

League records still recognize Rui as the starting pitcher. He recorded zero pitches and faced zero batters, while Lin Yi-ting became the team’s second pitcher of the game. Rui joined Lin Chao-huang, Taiba, Roric and Hall, along with this season’s Shunsuke Suzuki, among starters recorded as exiting without throwing a pitch.

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Rui Li-shi injured his lower back during the pregame bullpen session, and we will provide an update after he receives medical attention.