'The Day Ko Woo-seok Was Ejected': KBO's First Violation Case, 'Kim Ki-jung Ejected → 10-Game Suspension'... 'Thorough Investigation of Foreign Substance Planned'

*This content was translated by AI.

Ko Woo-seok (28), who was ejected from a game in the United States due to a foreign substance on his glove, experienced an identical situation in Korea on the same day.

Kim Ki-jung (24) of the Army Baseball Team (ROK Army) made his first appearance as a starting pitcher in a Futures League away game against the Goyang Heroes at the Goyang National Representative Baseball Training Center on the 25th. After completing his pitching duties in the bottom of the fourth inning, he was ordered to leave the field after a foreign substance was discovered on his glove.

Kim Ki-jung threw 59 pitches over four innings, allowing eight hits, recording one strikeout, and surrendering four runs. In the bottom of the fourth inning, with his team trailing 2-4, he induced third baseman Oh Seon-jin to hit a ground ball. As Kim was heading toward the dugout, he complied with an umpire's request to inspect his glove, which is where the issue arose.

Ahead of the start of the regular season last March, the KBO held its second executive committee meeting for 2026 and discussed strengthening foreign substance checks on pitchers. The move aims to ensure fairness in pitching and enhance league credibility. Applying a sticky liquid to the ball increases friction and spin rate, potentially allowing pitchers to deliver more powerful pitches; such actions are considered illegal pitching.

Previously, inspections were conducted only at the umpires' discretion before or during games if suspicion arose, or upon request from the opposing team. Starting pitchers will now be subject to at least two checks during a game, while relief pitchers will undergo one check per appearance starting this year.

Violations result in immediate ejection and a 10-game suspension. After the bottom of the fourth inning, umpires inspected Kim Ki-jung's glove after he left the mound and determined that a foreign substance was present, leading to his ejection. According to the KBO, Kim was simultaneously issued a 10-game suspension.

In this year's KBO League, it has become common for pitchers to undergo glove inspections after completing an inning. However, no violations have been reported until the season reaches its halfway point.

The first violation in the Futures League has occurred. Umpires discovered a foreign substance on Kim Ki-jung's glove and immediately ordered his ejection. A KBO official explained, "An ejection was issued, and per regulations, a 10-game suspension was also imposed."

It remains unclear what foreign substance was found or how it could affect pitching; details will be released after a thorough investigation. A KBO official stated, "Since this is the first case, clarity is more important than speed."

Ko Woo-seok, who recently joined the Minnesota Twins via trade and realized his dream of making his Major League debut, also faced the same situation today. While preparing to enter the mound as a relief pitcher for the Triple-A Saint Paul Saints, a minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, Ko was ordered to leave without throwing a single pitch. Umpires gathered and engaged in discussions for over three minutes.

Umpires touched the substance inside the glove with their hands, verified it multiple times, and also spoke with the Saint Paul manager. Ko Woo-seok appeared to express his frustration, but the outcome was ultimately an ejection.

Ko Woo-seok, who has appeared in four Major League games, was demoted to the minor leagues on the 22nd. He must wait at least 15 days before becoming eligible for recall. While he needs to demonstrate solid pitching in the minors and await another opportunity, a 10-game suspension could disrupt his plans.

Aidan O'Brien, a reporter for the Minnesota Twins-focused media outlet "Twins Town," reported on his social networking service (SNS) that day that the umpires who ejected Ko Woo-seok collected the glove in question for a detailed inspection.

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*This content was translated by AI.