[Official] Go Woo-seok's FA shock decision → LG sudden comeback scenario enters final stages, will 'temporary closer' Son Ju-young finally return to the rotation?

*This content was translated by AI.

Go Woo-seok (28), who had played as the KBO League's top closer while with the LG Twins before leaving for the United States to pursue his dreams, has ultimately chosen to become a free agent (FA). This significantly increases the likelihood that he will return to the Korean stage after effectively ending his time in the U.S.

On the 31st (Korean time), the St. Paul Saints, the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins in Major League Baseball (MLB), officially announced that "Go Woo-seok has declared free agency."

The Minnesota Twins organization stated on the 29th that "to make room for him on the 40th-man roster after calling up outfielder Walker Jenkins, their top prospect, they designated right-handed pitcher Go Woo-seok for assignment (DFA)."

DFA is one of the procedures in Major League Baseball used to modify or terminate a contract between a team and a player. Once processed, the player is immediately removed from the 40th-man roster and automatically placed on waivers.

If a team expresses interest in acquiring Go Woo-seok during the waiver period, he could rejoin the league wearing that team's uniform. However, no team ultimately showed interest in him. Go Woo-seok remained with St. Paul and continued to pitch in the minor leagues. Nevertheless, he made the final decision to become a free agent.

Now, the scenario of Go Woo-seok returning to LG has become increasingly realistic. For LG as well, having Go Woo-seok return as soon as possible is considered the best-case scenario. Since Go Woo-seok initially moved overseas through the posting system, he must sign a contract with his original team, LG, upon returning to the KBO League stage.

Currently, LG has recorded 64 wins, 51 losses, and 1 tie, placing them alone in fourth place in the league. Although they once led the league, their momentum waned in the second half, ceding the top spot to Samsung Lions and KT Wiz. The gap with first-place Samsung is 5.5 games. The season is not yet over; there are still 28 games remaining. Depending on the results of these remaining games, LG could aim for third place or even a higher finish.

If Go Woo-seok, who had previously secured LG's bullpen, returns, Son Ju-young, who has been serving as the team's primary closer, could rejoin the starting rotation and provide stability. However, even if Go Woo-seok returns, he will be ineligible to play in the postseason. According to KBO League regulations, players must be registered with their team by July 31 to qualify for postseason participation. Since that deadline has already passed, Go Woo-seok can pitch during the remainder of the regular season but can only watch from the sidelines during autumn baseball.

Nevertheless, if Go Woo-seok joins LG, it is expected to provide much-needed relief on the mound. Currently, Kim Jin-seong, who dedicated himself to the team, and FA bullpen resource Jang Hyun-sik are both sidelined due to injuries. In April, LG had approached Go Woo-seok about returning to fill the void left by closer Yoo Young-chan's departure in May. General Manager Cha Myeong-seok personally traveled to the U.S. to persuade him, but Go Woo-seok politely declined at the time.

Meanwhile, Go Woo-seok had been continuing his baseball career in the United States for three years this season.

He has already become a veteran who has experienced both triumph and hardship in the U.S. Go Woo-seok's official challenge to enter Major League Baseball began in November 2023. Ahead of his move to the U.S., he stated, "Personally, I want to stay long enough to become proficient in English. Still, I hope to master it before leaving." The first team to reach out to Go Woo-seok was the San Diego Padres. San Diego signed him to a contract worth up to $9.4 million (approximately 12.9 billion won at Hanwha) for 2+1 years. Go Woo-seok became the seventh player to advance to Major League Baseball via the KBO League's posting system (closed competitive bidding).

However, his start was not easy. Go Woo-seok ultimately failed to make the opening day roster. His destination was Double-A. But he struggled there as well. In May of that year, San Diego traded Go Woo-seok to the Miami Marlins. This was a 1-for-4 trade: in exchange for "Batting Champion" Luis Aráez from Miami, San Diego received four players—Go Woo-seok, prospect Jacob Marsh, Dylan Head, and Nathan Matorella.

After being traded to Miami, he continued playing in Triple-A but faced further rejection by the team. In May of that year, Miami designated Go Woo-seok for assignment (DFA). Since no team showed interest in acquiring him, he chose to remain as a minor league player under the Miami organization. After being demoted to the minors, Go Woo-seok continued pitching in Triple-A before being reassigned to Double-A in July, concluding the 2024 season there.

His challenge to reach the Big Leagues continued into the 2025 season. He returned as an invitee to spring training and attempted another bid for the majors. However, in February of that year, he suffered a fracture in his right index finger, leading to further struggles. Although he played from Rookie League up to Triple-A, Miami ultimately decided to release him without promoting him to the Big Leagues even once.

Nevertheless, Go Woo-seok signed another minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers in June of last year, continuing his life in the U.S. After joining Detroit, he appeared in 14 games at Triple-A, recording 1 win, no losses, 1 hold, and 3 saves with an ERA of 4.29. Over a total of 21 innings, he allowed 19 hits (including 3 home runs), surrendered 12 runs (10 earned), walked 11 batters, struck out 22, held opponents to a .238 batting average against, and posted a WHIP of 1.43.

Go Woo-seok successfully signed another contract with Detroit ahead of the 2026 season. However, Detroit also did not give him an opportunity to pitch in the Big Leagues.

Then, another change came his way. Early last month, a new team reached out to Go Woo-seok: the Minnesota Twins. Instead of paying cash to Detroit, they brought him into their organization. Reports indicate that this deal included a Major League call-up clause.

And on July 10, he finally made his dream Big League debut. In a home game against the Cleveland Guardians at Target Field, with his team trailing 2-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Go Woo-seok entered as the fourth reliever for one inning, allowing 1 hit (including 1 home run), striking out 1 batter, and surrendering 1 run. With this performance, Go Woo-seok became the 30th player overall since Park Chan-ho in 1994 and the 16th Korean pitcher to reach the Big Leagues, five years after Yang Hyeon-jong (then with the Texas Rangers) in 2021.

After that, Go Woo-seok appeared on the Big League mound three more times. On July 12, facing the Los Angeles Angels in his second Big League appearance, he pitched a scoreless inning and recorded his first hold. On July 20, against the Chicago Cubs, with his team trailing 1-10 in the bottom of the eighth, he entered as a reliever for one inning, allowing 2 hits, walking 1 batter, striking out 2, and pitching a scoreless frame. Although he nearly brought on a bases-loaded situation, he allowed no runs, demonstrating excellent relief capabilities. Then, on July 21, in a game against Cleveland, with his team trailing 3-10 in the bottom of the seventh, he entered as the fourth reliever for one inning, allowing 4 hits (including 1 home run), striking out 2, and surrendering 3 runs (all earned).

That was the end. His Major League record stands at 4 appearances over 4 innings, allowing 8 hits (including 2 home runs), walking 2 batters, striking out 5, surrendering 4 runs (all earned), with an ERA of 9.00. He returned to the minor leagues. While still on the 40th-man roster, he was optioned down to St. Paul. During this process, discussions about returning to the KBO League resurfaced, but Go Woo-seok's stance remained firm.

Go Woo-seok resumed pitching in Triple-A and encountered further twists and turns. On July 25, after being demoted, he was unexpectedly ejected before his appearance against the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Guardians' Triple-A affiliate) on the 26th for violating rules regarding foreign substances. Although the minor league office initially imposed a 10-game suspension, it was ultimately reduced to 8 games. At that time, Go Woo-seok reportedly went through a difficult period. Afterward, he continued appearing in Triple-A games until the team decided to designate him for assignment (DFA). He then chose to become a free agent, bringing his return to the Korean stage within reach.

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*This content was translated by AI.