'Go Woo-seok multi-inning preview': LG's army of thousands returns! Jang Hyun-sik and Kim Kang-ryul begin pitching [Jamsil on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

LG Twins' army of thousands is arriving, fully ready from the U.S. and Incheon.

On the 2nd, LG revealed its starting lineup for the home game against Doosan Bears at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season.

For this game, LG's batting order is set as follows: Shin Min-jae (second baseman), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Austin Dean (designated hitter), Song Chan-ui (left fielder), Moon Bo-kyung (third baseman), Moon Jung-bin (first baseman), Koo Bon-hyuk (shortstop), Park Dong-won (catcher), and Hong Chang-ki (right fielder). The starting pitcher is Kim Yun-sik.

Doosan countered with a lineup featuring Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Jo Su-haeng (left fielder), Park Jun-soon (second baseman), Yang Eui-ji (designated hitter), Ahn Jae-seok (third baseman), Yuni Severino (first baseman), Kim Daehun (right fielder), Yoon Jun-ho (catcher), and Jung Soobin (center fielder). Their starting pitcher is Choi Seung-yong.

Prior to this game, LG sits in sole third place, trailing first-place Samsung Lions by 5.5 games and second-place KT Wiz by just 0.5 games. With only a one-game gap over fourth-place KIA Tigers, the team appears more focused on securing third place than leading the race.

However, given the two-week break expected due to training and competition schedules for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games starting September 15th, reclaiming first place remains possible. As LG loses third baseman Moon Bo-kyung (26) and hard-throwing right-handed reliever Kim Young-woo (20) to national team duty, they will be joined by reinforcements to minimize the impact of this absence.

On this morning, LG confirmed a contract with Go Woo-seok. The deal is for one year with an annual salary of 500 million won; however, due to his mid-season return, he will effectively receive only three months' pay for the remainder of the season—150 million won.

After leading the team to a unified championship in the 2023 season, Go Woo-seok pursued a challenge in Major League Baseball and, after many twists and turns, finally made his long-awaited MLB debut on July 10 this year. Although he was released after appearing in four games, he gained experience across various levels from Double-A to the majors, posting a record of 5 wins, 2 losses with an ERA of 3.91 over 35 games, pitching 50⅔ innings and recording 63 strikeouts.

He will not participate in the postseason. According to Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) regulations, only players registered with a team by July 31 are eligible to play in that year's postseason. Nevertheless, Go Woo-seok's return is expected to provide significant relief to LG's fatigued bullpen. He plans to visit Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 3rd to greet teammates and share his thoughts on returning.

Prior to the game, LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop stated, "Woo-seok will need to come out tomorrow (the 3rd) to adjust to the time difference and check his physical condition. If he feels heavy, he may need one or two more days of rest."

Go Woo-seok has demonstrated strong potential as a long reliever by successfully handling multi-inning appearances of up to two innings in the minor leagues. With all domestic starters except Im Chan-kyu having faltered, Go Woo-seok and John Kennedy's ability to pitch multiple innings will greatly support bullpen management.

Manager Yeom added, "He won't be used for many multi-inning outings. He'll be deployed when sufficient rest is given and the situation calls for it. Basically, expect him to pitch one inning. If starting pitchers can throw five innings, relievers won't need to cover two. For Go Woo-seok or Kennedy to pitch two innings means the starter has collapsed early, forcing all relievers into action."

Other bullpen arms are also returning soon. Jang Hyun-sik (31), who was sidelined in July due to a strain of the flexor muscles in his right elbow, has resumed game action. Alongside him, Kim Kang-ryul (38), who had been with the minor league team, has also begun appearing in minor league games. Manager Yeom announced, "Jang Hyun-sik and Kim Kang-ryul are currently pitching in games. They can be called up soon."

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*This content was translated by AI.