WBC pitcher who hit Taiwan captain tests with Brothers; Chen Chieh-hsien offers warm welcome

Jack O'Loughlin, the Australian left-handed pitcher who faced Taiwan's Chen Chieh-hsien during the World Baseball Classic, has arrived in Taiwan to test with the CTBC Brothers. O'Loughlin pitched three scoreless innings against Taiwan in the WBC, contributing to his team's victory.

During their encounter in the WBC, O'Loughlin's 93.6 mph fastball fractured the distal phalanx of Chen Chieh-hsien's left index finger. This injury limited Chen to pinch-running in the game against Korea and delayed his return to the active roster until late April. Despite the painful incident, Chen expressed no lingering resentment.

"This is just part of the game, and a special memory for me," Chen said. "Being hit by a pitch in an international competition and unable to continue playing doesn't affect my current performance. I'm not bothered by it. I'm looking forward to his performance in the CPBL. He shut down Taiwan's best lineup, and although his velocity isn't high, his control is strong. He's definitely a good pitcher."

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This is just part of the game, and a special memory for me. Being hit by a pitch in an international competition and unable to continue playing doesn't affect my current performance. I'm not bothered by it. I'm looking forward to his performance in the CPBL. He shut down Taiwan's best lineup, and although his velocity isn't high, his control is strong. He's definitely a good pitcher.

O'Loughlin joined the KBO's Samsung Lions as a short-term foreign player after the WBC, posting a 5-5 record with a 4.86 ERA in 17 starts. He was recently released by the team before coming to Taiwan for his tryout with the Brothers.

Chen recalled the incident, stating, "At that moment, neither the pitcher nor the batter wants to be outdone by the opponent. Both sides compete with maximum pressure. This is normal in international competitions. I have no lingering fear. If I did, I wouldn't dare to hit against left-handed pitchers now. It was just bad luck at the time."

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At that moment, neither the pitcher nor the batter wants to be outdone by the opponent. Both sides compete with maximum pressure. This is normal in international competitions. I have no lingering fear. If I did, I wouldn't dare to hit against left-handed pitchers now. It was just bad luck at the time.