Four DFA stints in a year, Zheng Zongzhe returns to MLB, tearful.

Taiwanese pitcher Cheng Tsung-che, who has been playing in the United States, endured the most demanding and challenging period of his professional career during this season. He oscillated between the major leagues and the minors and was designated for assignment (DFA) as many as four times within a single year. Being removed from a club’s 40‑man roster is a severe mental and physical trial for any player. Nevertheless, through relentless resilience and continual adjustments, Cheng ultimately broke through the setbacks and returned to the Major League Baseball (MLB) stage. When he recalled the moment he received the call to rejoin the majors, he said he was overwhelmed with emotion and could not hold back tears, noting that the preceding hardships had been extraordinarily difficult and that the joy and relief he felt were indescribable.

In MLB, a DFA is an administrative move teams use to clear space on the 40‑man roster. Players who are DFA’d may be traded, optioned to the minors, or released, putting immense psychological pressure on them. Cheng experienced DFA four times this season, meaning his name repeatedly floated on various clubs’ transaction lists and he had to be ready at any moment to pack his belongings and adapt to a new environment. In the fiercely competitive environment of the major leagues, such frequent upheaval can shatter the confidence of many promising prospects, but Cheng chose to convert the uncertainty into motivation, quietly working on his craft in the minor‑league system after each demotion while awaiting the next opportunity.

Since joining the U.S. professional system, Cheng has attracted the attention of coaches with his impressive speed, expansive defensive range, and high‑level game‑reading ability. As an infielder, his stability at shortstop and second base has made him a valuable piece in roster construction. However, facing MLB’s deep talent pool and powerful offensive competition, defensive specialists often need to make greater strides at the plate to secure a spot on a 40‑man roster. The four DFA incidents this season reflect the clubs’ balancing act between performance pressure and roster depth. Navigating this environment, Cheng not only had to overcome physical fatigue but also endure external scrutiny and internal self‑doubt—an ordeal whose difficulty is hard for outsiders to fully appreciate.

When he learned that he had finally received notice to return to the majors, Cheng’s long‑suppressed tension burst forth, and he shed a man’s tears. In an interview he said, emotionally, “I have gone through many twists and challenges; when the call came I was unbelievably happy.” He emphasized that the tears were not a sign of weakness but a validation of his perseverance and an expression of gratitude toward the coaches and family members who supported and guided him during low points. This season, likened to a “steam‑room” experience, was filled with uncertainty and setbacks, yet it also matured his mental toughness, teaching him to focus on what he can control amid the rapidly changing professional arena.

For Taiwanese baseball, Cheng’s journey stands as an inspirational example. In recent years an increasing number of young Taiwanese players have ventured into MLB, but establishing a foothold at the highest level has never been a path paved with flowers; it is accompanied by repeated failures, adjustments, and fresh starts. Cheng’s tears and sweat demonstrate that, even when faced with adversity, repeated rejections, and roster churn, maintaining passion for the game and an unyielding competitive spirit can ultimately open the doors of the major leagues. His return to MLB marks a significant milestone in his career and provides a morale boost for aspiring Taiwanese players, showcasing the resilience and value of Taiwanese athletes in the world’s premier baseball arena.

(Source: Central News Agency)