CPBL Foreign Players Updates Volume #329
CTBC Brothers News: Elniery García
On March 26, Taiwanese baseball columnist Wang Yi-Hsuan reported on his social media that the CTBC Brothers had signed Elniery García as their foreign pitcher. At the time, the Brothers did not confirm or deny the signing.
A few weeks went by, but Elniery García was still nowhere to be seen on the Brothers’ roster, nor appeared in the minor league game, which was unusual because CPBL teams generally don’t intentionally hide their signings for that long.
前富邦悍將 @FubonGuardians 洋投 #恩力 #ElnieryGarcía ，據了解獲得中華職棒球隊合約，消息來源指出，該球隊為中信兄弟 @CTBC_Brothers 。中信兄弟對此傳言表示：「一切以球隊發布為準。」#CPBL
— Yihsuan Wang 王翊亘 (@YihsuanWang_) March 26, 2024
Elniery García Tested Positive for S1 Anabolics
On April 17, everything became clear. The CPBL Secretary-General told ETtoday that the CTBC Brothers are unable to register Elniery García as their foreign pitcher due to a failed drug test. As a result, Elniery García will receive a permanent ban in the CPBL.
The CPBL released a statement stating that Elniery García tested positive for S1 anabolic substances. Under Chapter 17, article 95 of the CPBL regulation, the league will permanently ban Elniery García. Shortly after, the CTBC Brothers announced that in accordance with the league’s policy, the team had terminated the contract with Elniery García.
Despite having already arrived in Taiwan, Elniery García’s 2024 CPBL season has ended abruptly without being officially registered and without making an appearance.
Elniery García, the 29-year-old Dominican left-hander, was a member of the Fubon Guardians in the 2023 CPBL season. He posted a 3.95 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 41 innings. At the end of 2023, the Guardians decided not to bring him back for the 2024 season.
With the dismissal of Elniery García and Kirk McCarty still out of commission with elbow inflammation, the Brothers told the media that they are currently having an internal discussion on two new foreign pitchers.
As of today, the CTBC Brothers currently have Shawn Morimando, José De Paula, Kirk McCarty, Daniel Mengden and Eric Stout as their foreign pitchers for the 2024 CPBL season.
Further Readings
Foreign players come and go. Therefore, we have compiled a tracker to monitor all foreign player signings for the 2024 CPBL season.
Yet another reason to go into the CPBL season with five foreign pitchers signed, just in case.
Also, second Brothers’ foreign pitcher to test positive since 2023.