TAIWAN – The defending Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) champion, Uni-President Lions, received some bad news when slugging import Tilson Brito opted not to return this season. Brito led the league last year in both home runs (24) and RBIs (102).

The Lions have signed veteran U.S. minor leaguer Rico Washington to replace Brito’s big bat in the middle of the lineup. The 31-year-old third baseman played in 1,134 games and logged 3,980 at-bats over 11 seasons in the minor league systems of Pittsburgh, San Diego, Tampa Bay and St. Louis before appearing in 14 games with the Cardinals last year.

Washington hit .254 with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs in 92 games with the Memphis Redbirds (AAA) in 2008.

Other Transactions:

Christopher Gissell, Pitcher (Uni-President Lions)
Former Seibu Lions right-hander went 7-3 with a 3.43 ERA for the Sacramento River Cats (AAA) last season.

Nate Gold, First Base (La New Bears)
28-year-old batted .255 with 23 homers and 90 RBIs in 127 games with the Oklahoma RedHawks (AAA) in 2008.

Nic Ungs, Pitcher (Brother Elephants)
29-year-old was 6-4 with a 4.29 ERA in 2008 with the Huntsville Stars (AA) and the Nashville Sounds (AAA).

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CPBL Journal is a regular BaseballdeWorld feature published every Wednesday.

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