Lin Yeping backs Lions' Chen Yunwen's comeback, targets 200-saves record.

Chen Yunwen, the Uni‑President Lions’ long‑time closer, has long been a celebrated relief pitcher in Taiwan’s professional baseball scene, having set a rare record of three consecutive saves titles in CPBL history. Yet after the recent season, an elbow injury and related physical issues limited his playing time, causing him to lose the team’s steadfast guardian role and slowing the accumulation of his personal statistics. Facing this veteran bullpen anchor, head coach Lin Yue‑ping expressed strong confidence and high expectations, publicly stating that he hopes Chen will return to peak form after rest and adjustment. He aims not only to reclaim his familiar closer position but also to challenge the unprecedented 200‑saves milestone in CPBL, establishing a formidable benchmark for domestic pitchers.

Looking back over Chen’s career in CPBL, he has consistently been the most reliable last line of defense in the Uni‑President Lions’ bullpen. With an excellent fastball and sharp breaking pitches, he has routinely appeared in games when the team held a large lead or faced critical close‑game situations, demonstrating strong mental toughness and successfully preserving victories for the club. His previous achievement of three consecutive saves titles not only cemented his status as a top‑tier reliever of his era but also accumulated an impressive number of successful saves. In the highly competitive CPBL environment, maintaining a long‑term role as a team’s fixed closer is difficult, requiring high physical and mental demands; Chen’s ability to dominate the saves leaderboard for consecutive years underscores his strength and consistency.

However, the career of a professional athlete inevitably encounters injury challenges. In the past season, Chen’s elbow condition fluctuated, and the coaching staff, prioritizing the player’s long‑term protection, had to reduce his game appearances and even allow him to rest in certain contests. During this period, the Lions’ bullpen defense faced significant challenges, and the coaching staff had to deploy other relievers to share closing duties. For a strong team aiming to win the annual championship, lacking an experienced, always‑stable signature closer undoubtedly removed a key asset from their roster. Chen’s absence not only impacted his personal record progression but also left the team’s defense somewhat strained at critical moments.

Nevertheless, head coach Lin Yue‑ping remains highly confident and optimistic about this former star. As a former CPBL legendary saves leader, Lin deeply understands the physical wear and mental pressure of being a closer, so he has granted Chen ample patience and space during the recovery process. In an interview, Lin explicitly stated that the team expects Chen to fully rest and adjust during the off‑season, and to return in full strength next season, reclaiming his own final‑inning spot. This reflects not only trust in Chen’s personal ability but also a key element in the Lions’ future strategy