Richmond, VA – June 10, 2024 – Fubon Guardians manager Peng Cheng-min addressed reporters after Saturday’s game, explaining why foreign slugger Laniel Rosario was held out of the lineup entirely despite being available.
Rosario, who has been a key offensive contributor for the Guardians this season, did not appear in any capacity during the matchup against the Wei Chuan Dragons at Taipei Dome. Peng clarified that the decision was not due to injury or performance concerns, but rather a strategic move tied to roster management and upcoming scheduling.
“We needed to give Laniel a full rest day to reset ahead of a busy stretch,” Peng said. “With several games coming up in quick succession, we wanted to make sure he’s fresh and ready to contribute when we need him most.”
The Guardians went on to lose the game 5-3, dropping their record to 28-22 on the season. Rosario, who is batting .312 with 14 home runs and 42 RBIs this year, has started in 48 of the team’s 50 games prior to this rest day.
Peng emphasized that the move was precautionary and not reflective of any disciplinary issue. “Laniel is a professional and understands the importance of managing workload over a long season,” he added. “This was a planned break, not a reaction to anything that happened on the field.”
The Guardians return to action on Tuesday against the Uni-President Lions, where Rosario is expected to be back in the starting lineup.
