*This content was translated by AI.
No team came looking for Ko Woo-seok (28). He will continue his challenge in the minor leagues. Although rumors of a return to his former club, LG Twins, have surfaced, he is expected to stay with the minor league team at least through this season.
According to MiLB.com, the official website of the minor leagues, on the 31st (Korea time), Minnesota sent Ko Woo-seok to Triple-A Saint Paul Saints.
Ko Woo-seok was designated for assignment (DFA) by Minnesota on the 29th and removed from the 40th-man roster.
He had two options: either join a new team under better terms or play for Minnesota's Triple-A affiliate, Saint Paul, while remaining outside the 40th-man roster. However, no team expressed interest in him. Ko Woo-seok is expected to spend the remainder of the season with Saint Paul.
Being removed from the 40th-man roster has made his path back to the big leagues even more difficult. While Major League Baseball will expand its rosters starting in September to allow for more pitchers, Ko Woo-seok must wait for someone else to be designated for assignment or placed on the 60th-day injured list before he can reclaim a spot through a new contract.
Ahead of the 2024 season, Ko Woo-seok signed a 2+1-year contract worth up to $9.4 million (approximately 12.927 billion won) with the San Diego Padres. He was excluded from the opening day roster and struggled in Double-A before being traded in a 1-for-4 deal to the Miami Marlins.
He failed to make a clear comeback there either and was eventually designated for assignment. At that time, Ko Woo-seok showed no signs of improvement and received no offers from other teams. After being released, he signed with the Detroit Tigers to start anew.
Despite showing significant improvement in the minor leagues last year, his big league debut did not materialize. This season, he delivered dominant performances in the minors but failed to earn a call-up opportunity. In April, Ko Woo-seok received a tempting offer from the LG Twins. The team's general manager, Cha Myung-seok, personally traveled to the U.S. to meet with him. Nevertheless, Ko Woo-seok clearly expressed his desire to continue his challenge.
The situation changed when Minnesota stepped in. Minnesota acquired Ko Woo-seok via a cash trade, and just days after the transfer, on July 10, he finally made his big league debut for the first time in three seasons. In four games, he recorded one hold and an ERA of 9.00. While there were regrets, he also generated clear expectations, suggesting another opportunity might be possible.
However, new troubles arose. On July 25, just after being demoted, Ko Woo-seok was unexpectedly ejected for violating the foreign substance rule before taking the mound against the Columbus Clippers (a Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians). He subsequently received a 10-game suspension from the minor league office. The penalty was later reduced to eight games, but he could not replicate his previous form.
He pitched scoreless in two games but then allowed 13 runs and lost control. From Minnesota's perspective, which had acquired Ko Woo-seok through a cash trade, they removed him from the 40th-man roster to make room for Walker Jenkins, the organization's top prospect outfielder.
His plans for next season remain uncertain. However, it is unlikely that he will return to LG this season. Even if he joined now, he would not be eligible for the postseason. Regardless of his ties to his former club, bringing him in solely for the regular season could create unnecessary risk and anxiety.
The situation would be different next season. Having faced significant challenges in managing their pitching staff this season, LG is likely to extend a strong offer to Ko Woo-seok again. Given that returning to the big leagues is not easy, Ko Woo-seok may be more open to considering such an opportunity than ever before. However, if we assume this decision must be made now, his return appears unlikely.
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*This content was translated by AI.
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