Taiwanese Pitcher Huang Po-Yuie Retires at 28 | CPBL News

Taipei, Taiwan – Huang Po-yu, a founding member of the Taiwan Steel Unicorns (台鋼雄鷹) professional baseball team, announced his retirement from the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) on Saturday, with a final appearance scheduled for today’s exhibition game. The 28-year-ancient pitcher’s decision, attributed to personal career planning, brings an end to a story marked by perseverance and recovery from injury.

Huang joined the Unicorns in 2022 as an independent training player. He quickly established himself as a key contributor, particularly in the 2023 second-team season where he recorded a complete-game victory against the Lotte Peach Monkeys, allowing only one run over nine innings – a first in team history. His performance included 21 appearances, totaling 59.1 innings pitched, with a record of 5 wins and 4 losses, consisting of 8 starts and 13 relief appearances.

Huang’s career path was significantly impacted by a right elbow ligament reconstruction surgery in early 2024. Following a period of rehabilitation, he returned to the mound in 2025, making his first-team debut on June 15th. He finished his professional career with three relief appearances, totaling five innings pitched, and a 3.60 ERA.

The Unicorns organization expressed gratitude for Huang’s dedication since the team’s inception, arranging a final appearance in an exhibition game to allow him to bid farewell to teammates, coaches, and fans. He was officially signed as a formal player in November 2023, following his successful second-team season.

Huang’s journey embodies resilience, according to team statements. His return to the mound after elbow surgery and subsequent first-team appearance were highlighted as significant achievements. The team has not announced any details regarding Huang’s future plans beyond his retirement from professional baseball.