BASEBALL/CTBC Brothers release pitcher Hsu over coverup of drunk driving accident

Taipei, June 20 (CNA) The CTBC Brothers of Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) have terminated the contract of pitcher Hsu Chi-ling (徐基麟) after discovering that he had concealed a drunk driving accident that occurred last year.

In a statement released Friday, the Brothers said the 26-year-old right-hander failed to report the accident to the team and that the violation came to light only after a court judgment was made public.

According a judgment issued in April by the Pingtung District Court, Hsu was drinking alcohol at a friend's residence in Pingtung's Jiuru Township on Sept. 14, 2025, then drove off early the next morning.

At around 6 a.m. on Sept. 15, he crashed into a roadside utility pole, and his vehicle overturned, leaving him slightly injured, the court said. Police later administered a breathalyzer test at the hospital and found that Hsu's blood alcohol level exceeded the legal limit, according to the judgment.

The court sentenced Hsu to five months in prison, which can be commuted to a fine under Taiwanese law.

On Friday, the Brothers said drunk driving poses a serious threat to public safety, and Hsu's failure to disclose the incident was a major breach of team rules and his contract.

Hsu's contract has been terminated with immediate effect, the Brothers said in the press release, adding that the team would seek damages in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

The team did not explain, however, why it was previously unaware of the judgment, which was published by the Pingtung District Court on April 29.

Hsu was selected by the Brothers in the second round of the CPBL's 2022 draft. Although he was excluded from the club's protected roster at the end of last season due to financial and disciplinary issues, he remained under contract and made appearances in the CPBL minor league this year.

The CPBL said in a statement Saturday that it would also impose disciplinary measures on Hsu.

Citing past precedent and its regulations, the CPBL said it would impose the maximum penalty -- a 40-game suspension and a fine of NT$440,000 (US$13,874) -- on Hsu for improper conduct and violation of the league's drunk driving rules.