*This content was translated by AI.
"(Go) Woo-seok was released?"
The news that Yeom Kyung-yeop (58), manager of the LG Twins, had learned was shocking.
On the 29th, ahead of the match against the Busan Lotte Giants, manager Yeom Kyung-yeop heard for the first time from reporters about Go Woo-seok's (28, Minnesota Twins) designation for assignment (DFA) and asked in disbelief.
Go Woo-seok was designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins on that day to make room in their 40-man roster after calling up outfielder Walker Jenkins, one of the club's top prospects, to the major leagues. After serving as the best closer in the KBO League and heading to the U.S., he finally stepped onto the big league stage this year after nearly three years of waiting, only to face another crossroads of challenge and potential return.
This news also brought many thoughts to manager Yeom. Ahead of this season, Go Woo-seok had seriously considered returning to Korea. Since he had gone to the U.S. through the posting system, if he were to return to the KBO League, he would have to rejoin his original team, LG, and a certain level of understanding had already been reached with the club.
LG also considered Go Woo-seok's return as one of the likely scenarios and prepared an additional plan for its pitching staff in the second half of the season. Manager Yeom stated, "We thought (Go) Woo-seok would naturally come back and were preparing accordingly. In fact, we saw the possibility of him continuing to challenge the major leagues at around 0.01%." He further revealed, "We had discussed with the player himself and the club on how to proceed if Woo-seok returned."
They were not simply waiting to see whether he would return. At the beginning of the season, they had planned for Go Woo-seok to take over the closer role if he came back. When Son Ju-young was set as the closer and there was a possibility of Go Woo-seok returning in the middle of the season, they even drew up a concrete plan to move Son Ju-young back to the starting rotation.
Manager Yeom explained, "If (Go) Woo-seok comes back and sets up the bullpen, and (Son) Ju-young moves to the starting rotation, it would create more depth in the starting staff. We judged that a player of Woo-seok's caliber could change the team's atmosphere."
Despite having plans A through C in place, things did not go as expected. Son Ju-young was sidelined just before the season opener due to a side injury, and less than a month into the season, closer Yu Young-chan also had to undergo elbow surgery, effectively ending his season. Players like Kim Young-woo and Jang Hyun-sik, who were expected to take over the closer role, were also shaken one after another due to injuries and poor performance.
As a result, Son Ju-young, who had been built up as a starter, had no choice but to move to the bullpen in the middle of the season. In this challenging situation, Go Woo-seok's return became a card that could help LG reorganize its pitching staff.
Go Woo-seok's situation also took an unexpected turn. After facing continuous difficulties following his move to the U.S., he finally began to adapt to the Triple-A level. In his first 19 games this year, he showed his competitiveness with a record of 3 wins and 1 loss, an ERA of 2.60, and 32 strikeouts in 27⅔ innings.
Impressed by his performance, the Minnesota Twins acquired Go Woo-seok via a cash trade on the 6th last month. The contract included a clause that would place him on the major league 26-man roster if he were traded, and Go Woo-seok finally stepped onto the long-awaited big league mound on July 10.
Even though things had taken a different direction from LG's original plan before the season, manager Yeom actually congratulated Go Woo-seok. While preparing for the Daegu Samsung game at the time, manager Yeom told reporters, "I received a call from (Go) Woo-seok early on the morning of the trade day." He added, "It turned out well. Woo-seok has passed through a very difficult hurdle and achieved his dream. I will watch him when he pitches and will cheer for him enthusiastically."
Go Woo-seok's decision to stay in the U.S. was not an easy one. According to manager Yeom, Go Woo-seok had also considered giving up on challenging the U.S. early this year and returning to LG. His resolve wavered even more when General Manager Cha Myeong-seok personally visited the U.S. at the end of April.
However, he wanted to chase his long-held dream of playing in the major leagues one last time. Go Woo-seok then conveyed his intention to "try until July 1," and ultimately that challenge led to a trade with the Minnesota Twins and his debut in the big leagues.
On the day Go Woo-seok was designated for assignment again, the manager shared his unfulfilled plans but took full responsibility for the outcome. Manager Yeom emphasized, "There are many injuries and variables; it is the manager's role and duty to prepare for all such possibilities. Regardless of what variables arise, the manager must ultimately take responsibility for the results. It is all my responsibility."
Meanwhile, according to an LG club official, the team did not separately contact Go Woo-seok's side after his DFA on that day. For Go Woo-seok, there are two paths: accepting a move to the Minnesota Triple-A or choosing minor league free agency to pursue a transfer. If he chooses to return to Korea instead of staying in the U.S., he must sign a contract with his original team, LG. However, under KBO regulations that only domestically registered players as of July 31 can participate in the postseason, he will be eligible only for regular-season appearances this year.
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*This content was translated by AI.
