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Relief pitcher Go Woo-suk demoted in U.S. minor leagues

Published: 09 Apr. 2026, 17:21

Korean reliever Go Woo-suk pitches against the Dominican Republic during the teams' quarterfinal game of the World Baseball Classic at LoanDepot Park in Miami on March 13. [YONHAP]

Korean relief pitcher Go Woo-suk has been pushed down a rung in the U.S. minor leagues as his hopes of reaching the majors for the first time diminished further.

The Toledo Mud Hens, the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, announced Wednesday they sent Go to the Erie SeaWolves in Double-A.

Go made two appearances for the Mud Hens this season and gave up four runs — one unearned — on one hit and five walks over 1 1/3 innings for a 20.25 ERA.

The 27-year-old was an All-Star closer in the KBO for the LG Twins, leading the Korean league with 139 saves from 2019 to 2023.

He signed with the San Diego Padres in January 2024 but got traded to the Miami Marlins in May without having pitched in MLB. Go only reached as high as Triple-A in the Marlins system.

The Marlins released him in June 2025, and then the Tigers acquired him on a minor league deal later that same month. Go spent the rest of the 2025 campaign with the Mud Hens, pitching to a 4.29 ERA in 14 outings.

Go became a free agent in November and rejoined the Tigers on another minor league deal a month later.

After pitching for Korea at the World Baseball Classic in March, Go started the 2026 season with the Mud Hens. But his MLB dreams absorbed another blow with the latest demotion.

Go has not pitched since last Thursday.

In his minor league career, Go has a 6-5 record with six saves, eight holds and a 5.81 ERA in 78 appearances. He has 91 strikeouts and 52 walks in 96 innings.

Yonhap