LAKELAND, FL – The World Baseball Classic is over before it began for Hao-Yu Lee.
The Detroit Tigers‘ prospect was removed Wednesday, March 4, from Team Chinese Taipei’s roster in the 2026 WBC due to a left oblique strain. The roster move happened the same day as the first game of pool play for Team Chinese Taipei, kickstarting the 20-team international tournament.
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An MRI confirmed the left oblique strain.
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Detroit Tigers infielder Hao-Yu Lee smiles as he walks towards the practice field during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.
With the injury, Lee will return to Lakeland – home of the Tigers’ spring training complex – for further evaluation.
Lee – a right-handed hitter who plays second and third base – is traveling from Tokyo, which is the location for Pool C in the WBC, featuring Japan, Australia, South Korea, Czechia and Chinese Taipei.
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The 23-year-old is the Tigers’ No. 6 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
Lee joined the Tigers’ 40-man roster in mid-November, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft in December. He is expected to make his MLB debut at some point in the 2026 season.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers prospect Hao-Yu Lee injury: World Baseball Classic