Ko Woo-seok Set to Return to LG Twins After Three Years

Ko Woo-seok is set to return to the LG Twins three years after leaving the Korean club for Major League Baseball.

An LG official said the 28-year-old had told the team he wanted to come back and would fly to South Korea on the 1st. The announcement came after the St. Paul Saints, a Minnesota Twins Triple-A affiliate, listed Ko as a free agent.

Ko joined the U.S. major leagues through the posting system after the 2023 season. He signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract with the San Diego Padres, but spent much of his time moving between the minor leagues and did not initially secure a major-league opportunity. After transferring to Minnesota in July, he finally made his major-league debut, only to return to the minors 11 days later.

His time in the minors also included an ejection for violating a rule banning foreign substances on gloves during a Triple-A game. An appeal reduced his suspension from 10 games to eight, but he continued to struggle after returning. Ko recorded a 9.00 earned-run average in four major-league games and four innings, allowing eight hits, striking out five and giving up four runs. In three minor-league seasons, he posted an ERA of 5.02 across 111 games, with 11 wins, six losses, 10 holds and 10 saves.

LG has been dealing with bullpen problems after closer Yoo Young-chan underwent elbow surgery in April and was ruled out for the season. Starter Son Joo-young has filled the closing role effectively, but a series of bullpen injuries has complicated the team’s pitching plans. If Ko signs, he can play in the remaining regular-season games but not the postseason, since players had to be registered by July 31 to qualify for the playoffs.

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Ko Woo-seok has expressed his intention to return to the club. He is scheduled to fly to Korea today. If he returns, we will discuss the details with him.