Taipei, June 26 (CNA) Taiwanese baseball player Chen Yung-chi has signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates of the U.S. Major Leagues and been assigned to its Double-A affiliate Altoona Curve, Chen's agent Octagon Asia said Saturday.
The 26-year-old slugger, who played in the Oakland Athletics minor league system from 2008-2010, was released by the A's Double-A affiliate Midland RockHounds earlier this month.
Chen was signed by the Seattle Mariners in 2004 and played in its minor league organization until 2008.
Chen, who plays mostly second and third base, is known for his speed and power, but what was once a promising career has been plagued by shoulder and knee injuries since 2007. He has never been called up to the Major Leagues.
He last played for Taiwan's national baseball team in 2006, appearing in the Intercontinental Cup, the World Baseball Classic and the Doha Asian Games that year.
Chen also had the best year of his six-year minor league career in 2006, when he hit .324 with eight home runs in 110 games with the San Antonio Missions, the Mariners' Double-A affiliate. (By Chris Wang) enditem/ls