'Negative foreign substance detected → 10-game suspension': Go Woo-seok, "I have never used any illegal substances," expresses grievance and will appeal through the players' union

*This content was translated by AI.

After finally achieving his dream of becoming a Major Leaguer, Go Woo-seok (28), who was waiting for a recall opportunity, faced bad news. He was ejected after a foreign substance was found in his glove and received a 10-game suspension. Go Woo-seok, expressing his grievance, announced his intention to appeal.

On the 27th (Korea time), via his social networking service (SNS) account, Go Woo-seok stated, "I have never used any illegal substance that could affect pitching even once," and added, "To clear my name, I plan to proceed with an appeal through the players' union."

Go Woo-seok, who plays for the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, the Saint Paul Saints, was ordered ejected by umpires during a glove inspection before his relief appearance in the bottom of the 7th inning on the 25th at CHS Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA, in a game against the Columbus Clippers (affiliated with the Cleveland Guardians).

The umpires spent a long time examining the inside of the glove where the left hand goes, touched something inside the glove with their fingers, checked it multiple times, gathered together and discussed for a while, and finally decided to eject him.

The suspension is automatically applied immediately after ejection. According to local media, Go Woo-seok's suspension was confirmed on that day and will be applied retroactively from the game on the 25th, making him eligible to pitch starting from the game against the Louisville Bats (affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds) next month on the 5th.

Ahead of the 2024 season, he signed a 2+1-year contract worth up to $9.4 million (approximately 13.7 billion won) with the San Diego Padres through the posting system, but due to poor performance in spring training, he started the season in the minor leagues and has not yet achieved his dream of playing in the big leagues after two years.

Even as he moved teams from San Diego to the Miami Marlins and then to the Detroit Tigers, shuttling between Double-A and Triple-A, a call-up seemed like a distant dream.

An opportunity finally arrived this month. He was traded to Minnesota on the 6th. This season in the minor leagues, he posted 27 games, 41⅓ innings, 3 wins, 1 loss, 4 saves, 3 holds, an ERA of 1.96, a batting average against of 0.145, and an on-base plus slugging per inning (WHIP) of just 0.82. He recorded 54 strikeouts while allowing only 13 walks.

Finally recalled, Go Woo-seok gave up a home run in his debut game but successfully pitched one inning without allowing any runs, and then in the following two games, he delivered scoreless outings of one inning each cleanly. On the 21st against the Cleveland Guardians, he allowed four hits (one home run) over one inning, struck out two batters, and gave up three runs before returning to the minor leagues, but this served as an opportunity to show his potential. It seemed that if he could address his shortcomings in Triple-A, another chance would surely come.

However, he encountered unexpected bad news. Before playing his first game after returning to the minor leagues, Go Woo-seok was ordered ejected during a glove inspection due to the presence of a foreign substance. Although Go Woo-seok reacted with grievance, the result could not be overturned.

Go Woo-seok stated, "I have never once thought that I should compete through dishonest means throughout my life. While playing baseball, I have always believed that fairness is the most important value of sports, and that belief has not changed even now." He emphasized, "Even during the past period when I failed to achieve results in the minor leagues as expected, spent difficult times, and had to start over from the bottom, I continued to play baseball while upholding that belief."

Go Woo-seok also explained regarding what the umpires considered a 'negative foreign substance.' "The substance on the glove in question has been used since early this year and formed by sweat and rosin repeatedly intertwining and hardening on the leather," he said. "The glove I used yesterday is the same one I have used in every game since the WBC, and it has never been questioned during any game. I am confident that there is no possibility that it affected my pitching. The part claimed to be a foreign substance was so hardened that it would only come off if scraped very hard with fingernails, making it impossible to remove and having no reason to remove." Go Woo-seok receives sponsorship from the Japanese brand Jet.

Go Woo-seok plans to proceed with an appeal through the Major League Baseball (MLB) Players Association. Even if Go Woo-seok's claims are 100% true, it remains uncertain whether the suspension will be revoked. For now, since he cannot participate in games, it is expected that the most important thing is to go through the appeal process while thoroughly managing his physical condition so as not to lose form.

I have never once thought that I should compete through dishonest means throughout my life.

While playing baseball, I have always believed that fairness is the most important value of sports, and that belief has not changed even now. Even during the past period when I failed to achieve results in the minor leagues as expected, spent difficult times, and had to start over from the bottom, I continued to play baseball while upholding that belief. For better results, I have never made choices that undermine the value of baseball.

The substance on the glove in question has been used since early this year and formed by sweat and rosin repeatedly intertwining and hardening on the leather. The glove I used yesterday is the same one I have used in every game since the WBC, and it has never been questioned during any game. Furthermore, I am confident that there is no possibility that it affected my pitching. The part claimed to be a foreign substance was so hardened that it would only come off if scraped very hard with fingernails, making it impossible to remove and having no reason to remove.

I have never used any illegal substance that could affect pitching even once. I can state this clearly and confidently. To clear my name, I plan to proceed with an appeal through the players' union. I am sorry for causing worry to the fans who support me. Thank you always.

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*This content was translated by AI.