Chen Yung-chi Overcomes Injury, Expected to Return in First Half of Season, Jokes Retirement is Spilled Water

(Central News Agency reporter Su Chih-she, Taipei, 8th) Uni-President 7-ELEVEn Lions star player Chen Yung-chi announced his retirement this season but was troubled by an injury. He has recently resumed training and is expected to return to the field in the first half of the season. However, regarding whether his retirement would be postponed, Chen Yung-chi jokingly said, "No way, spilled water cannot be collected."

Chen Yung-chi suffered a left oblique muscle strain during a Chinese Professional Baseball League official preseason game on March 24th this year, which has kept him out of play since the start of the season. He revealed that he has now started rehabilitation exercises and batting practice, and will discuss the timing of rehabilitation games with the athletic trainer soon. "I've been maintaining my body, it's much better now, and I'm on schedule."

After experiencing this injury, Chen Yung-chi received comfort from his good friend, Wei Chuan Dragons assistant hitting coach Lin Chih-sheng, who told him, "This is an injury only strong hitters get." But he also admitted that the rehabilitation process was not easy, requiring the same work every day, but also encountering fluctuating conditions, which was "a blow to my confidence."

Therefore, Chen Yung-chi expressed even greater admiration for pitcher Chiang Shao-ching, who recently returned from injury. "His skill has always been there; the challenge is whether his body can be controlled." Seeing Chiang Shao-ching choke up during an interview after returning to pitch in the first team also deeply resonated with Chen Yung-chi, "because it's really tough."

Missing most of his final season due to injury, Chen Yung-chi himself did not feel particularly regretful and continued to follow the good performances of the young players in the team, specifically mentioning Li Cheng-ling and Chu Chia-en as recently impressing him. "They all have skill, but just lack opportunities and experience." Chen Yung-chi believes that the team's generational change has accelerated this year, requiring young players to start taking on responsibilities. (Edited by Chen Jen-hua) 1150508