Taipei: Jonathon Long, an infielder in the Chicago Cubs organization, will be unable to join Team Taiwan at the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC) due to an elbow injury, according to a press release on Thursday. According to Focus Taiwan, the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), which coordinates the national team, reported that it was notified by the Cubs franchise that Long is still dealing with a strained left elbow. This injury has compelled the 24-year-old to withdraw from the roster. The CPBL expressed that Long was eager to participate with the national team and that his determination was appreciated. They extended their wishes for his recovery and expressed hope to see him on the field soon. The Taiwanese coaching staff is anticipated to name a replacement for Long after a four-day exhibition series between Taiwan and Japanese professional teams, which concludes on Saturday. Long suffered the elbow sprain during a Cactus League game against the Texas Rangers last Saturday when he colli ded with a runner at the bag, necessitating his exit from the game. Initial examinations revealed no bone fractures, leading Long to initially aim for participating with the Taiwan team in the WBC games in Tokyo. However, further evaluations by the Cubs' medical team suggested that his rehabilitation would not fit the tournament's timeline. With a Taiwanese mother and an American father, Long is eligible to represent Taiwan under the WBC's ancestry rules. He spent the entire 2025 season with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate, where he recorded a .307/.405/.480 slash line.
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