Red Sox Prospect Chih-Jung Liu Quarantined Upon Arrival to U.S. From Taiwan Amid Coronavirus Panic
By Will Coleman
Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Chih-Jung Liu made it to the team's Spring Training facility in Fort Myers, Flor., last week, but hasn't been around his teammates at all since his arrival.
Liu, a native of Taiwan, has been quarantined by Red Sox officials in concern of his potential exposure to coronavirus. Better safe than sorry, right?
Red Sox prospect Chih-Jung Liu arrives from Taiwan — and is immediately quarantined over coronavirus concerns https://t.co/hS8z5XFXQy pic.twitter.com/ftQKRwLNAS
— Boston.com Red Sox News (@BDCSox) February 25, 2020
The 20-year-old pitcher has been cooped up in a hotel room since landing in Florida to keep a safe distance from his teammates. According to his Facebook page, Liu has occasionally lifted weights and gone for runs but spends most of his time online reading up on and watching all things Red Sox.
Boston signed Liu at the beginning of this offseason after he was named 2019 Asian Baseball Championship MVP. He was a two-way player in Taiwan but the Red Sox plan to use him as a pitcher with his fastball already able to reach up to 98 MPH.
Boston Red Sox sign Chih-Jung Liu, a prospect from Taiwan with upper-90s fastball; deal is pending physical https://t.co/8nrI7jO6Yz
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) October 23, 2019
Liu said he feels good and is excited to join the team, and all signs indicate he'll be able to do that within the next few days.