Ex-MLB Pitcher Returns to LG Twins for KBO Postseason Push

Seoul: What's old is new again for the LG Twins, as they welcomed back their former All-Star closer Go Woo-suk this week. Go hit free agency earlier this week after a brief stint with the Minnesota Twins in Major League Baseball (MLB) and his old club signed him for the rest of this Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season on Wednesday. According to Yonhap News Agency, Go, 28, first pitched for LG from 2017 to 2023. He was their closer from 2019 and on, and recorded 139 saves to lead all KBO pitchers in that five-year stretch. Go signed with the San Diego Padres in January 2024 but never reached MLB with them. He was traded to the Miami Marlins later that year and also spent time with the Detroit Tigers in 2025 and the early part of 2026, without ever pitching in the big leagues. Minnesota then gave him that chance after acquiring him in a trade with the Tigers in July. Go made his MLB debut on July 9 and went on to pitch three more games for Minnesota, putting up a 9.00 ERA with four earned runs allowed in four innings on eight hits, including two home runs. Minnesota sent him down to its Triple-A affiliate, the St. Paul Saints, in late July. Go faced challenges in the minor leagues, serving an eight-game suspension after being ejected for having an illegal substance in his glove. He struggled to regain his form with the Saints, going 2-1 with a 12.54 ERA in eight outings. "I pitched well in the first couple of games after the suspension but I lost my rhythm when I had too much time off between my outings," Go said. Minnesota designated Go for assignment last Friday, and no MLB team claimed him off waivers. Go then exercised his right to refuse an outright assignment to the minors and elected free agency, opening the door for a reunion with LG. He mentioned that his family's needs played a significant role in his decision to return to Korea. With 26 games left this regular season, the LG Twins can use all the bullpen help they can get at this point. Since the mid-July All-Star break, their bullpen has pitche d to a 6.23 ERA, the third-worst mark in the KBO. Go will serve as the setup man for the Twins, with Son Ju-young as the closer. Go said he is looking forward to the postseason push, with the Twins trailing the league-leading Samsung Lions by 5 1/2 games in third place. "I will try to use every lesson I learned in America to grow further as an athlete and help the team the best I can," he said. Reflecting on his MLB experience, Go expressed some regrets but is determined to move past them. "I would be lying if I said I had no regrets. I feel like I should have been better prepared," he said. Despite his challenges, Go is focused on contributing to the LG Twins and potentially revisiting MLB opportunities in the future.