'Manager Cha Myeong-seok Returns Empty-Handed': LG, Losing Its Closer, Proceeds Without Ko Woo-seok, "We Will Respect the Player's Desire to Challenge MLB"

*This content was translated by AI.

Cha Myeong-seok (57), manager of the LG Twins, who had traveled to the United States to persuade Ko Woo-seok (28, Erie SeaWolves), ultimately returned empty-handed.

LG Group officially announced on the 5th, "Manager Cha Myeong-seok departed on April 30 and met with player Ko Woo-seok several times in Erie, Pennsylvania. Ko Woo-seok expressed his lingering regret regarding baseball in the United States and his desire to challenge further. Ultimately, the organization decided to respect the player's wishes."

For LG, which has recently lost its closer, this is a somewhat disappointing outcome. Yoo Young-chan decided on surgery last month on the 27th due to a stress fracture in the right elbow's olecranon. With rehabilitation expected to take five to six months or more, he is effectively out for the season, necessitating a countermeasure.

Ko Woo-seok's return to Korea, who had been the undisputed closer before Yoo Young-chan, emerged as a solution. After winning the 2023 Korean Series, Ko Woo-seok challenged Major League Baseball (MLB) through the posting system. It was not easy. After moving teams three times and shuttling between Double-A and Triple-A, he had not yet stepped onto the big league stage, making this year widely regarded as his final opportunity.

However, with his recent stable performance, hope for a big league call-up has emerged. The previous day (the 4th), he appeared in the top of the 9th inning of a Double-A game, throwing just nine pitches to record two strikeouts in one inning, delivering a perfect pitching performance that secured a 4-3 victory for the Erie SeaWolves.

With this, Ko Woo-seok's Double-A ERA, after securing back-to-back saves in two games, dropped from 0.71 to 0.66. This also increased the possibility of a re-promotion to Triple-A. His overall season ERA, which had started at 81.00, improved to 2.40. In 15 innings, he recorded 24 strikeouts, with an On-Base Plus Slugging (WHIP) of 0.87.

Given that Ko Woo-seok never gave up his dream of reaching the big league stage despite numerous setbacks, LG also respected his wishes.

Now, LG will restructure its bullpen using existing resources. Reliable relievers Jang Hyun-sik (31) and Kim Young-woo (21) are undergoing closer testing, while Ham Deok-ju (31) and Kim Jin-seong (41) are supporting them.

There are also additional resources. Left-handed starter Kim Yun-sik (26), who has completed his military service, was registered to the first division team today. Additionally, another left-handed starting pitcher Son Ju-young (28) is on the verge of returning to the first division, so Yoo Young-chan's absence is expected to be gradually filled.

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*This content was translated by AI.