BASEBALL/Lyle Lin dropped by Athletics' Double-A team

Los Angeles, July 29 (CNA) Taiwanese catcher Lyle Lin (林家正) was released Monday by the Midland Rockhounds, the Athletics' Double-A team.

Waived midway through his sixth season in the United States, Lin's priority was to stay game-ready there, and he is working through his agents to potentially transition to an independent league.

In 32 games with the Rockhounds, Lin had no home runs and a .183 batting average in 93 at-bats.

The 28-year-old became the first Taiwanese ever to be drafted by a major league team when he was selected in the 14th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks in Major League Baseball's 2019 draft.

Lin also represented Taiwan in the 2024 WBSC Premier12, and was a key cog in the national team's championship showing, earning him a considerable fan base in Taiwan.

According to reports, however, Lin declined an offer to return to Taiwan in June, when he turned down an invitation from the Chinese Professional Baseball League's TSG Hawks to participate in their draft.