Twins Reliever Woo-Suk Go Suspended 10 Games After Triple-A Glove Incident

[Cody Christie]

The Minnesota Twins took a low-risk gamble earlier this month when they acquired right-handed reliever Woo-Suk Go from the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations. After a brief look in the majors, the organization sent him to Triple-A St. Paul to continue refining his mechanics and remain available as bullpen depth.

Instead of getting another opportunity to prove himself, Go will now spend the next 10 games serving a suspension. Major League Baseball announced Sunday that Go received a 10-game suspension after an illegal foreign substance was discovered on his glove during Friday night's game with the St. Paul Saints. The suspension is retroactive to Saturday.

Why Was Go Suspended?

The incident occurred before Go could even throw his first pitch for the Saints. During a routine glove inspection, third base umpire Joe McCarthy noticed something unusual and conferred with the rest of the umpiring crew before ejecting the 27-year-old reliever. His glove was confiscated and sent to Major League Baseball for further examination, ultimately leading to the suspension. He will not be eligible to return until the Saints' next homestand starting August 4.

For Go, the timing couldn't be much worse. After Minnesota acquired him from Detroit on July 6, the Twins quickly gave him an opportunity at the major-league level. He appeared in four games, allowing four runs on eight hits (including two home runs), while striking out five over four innings before being optioned back to Triple-A.

The demotion wasn't necessarily surprising. Minnesota wanted Go to iron out some mechanical issues while giving another reliever an opportunity in the bullpen. The expectation was that a few solid outings in St. Paul could put him back into the conversation for another call-up.

A Long Road to the Major Leagues

Go's professional journey has been anything but conventional. He debuted in the Korean Baseball Organization as an 18-year-old and spent seven seasons establishing himself as one of the league's better late-inning relievers. Across 354 appearances, he posted a 3.18 ERA while striking out 401 batters in 368 innings, eventually earning a two-year, $4.5 million contract with the San Diego Padres before the 2024 season.

The transition to affiliated baseball proved difficult. Control problems prevented him from making San Diego's Opening Day roster, and his struggles continued in Double-A. After later joining the Miami Marlins organization and being released, Go signed a minor-league contract with Detroit before the 2025 season. That move appeared to get his career back on track.

Between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo this season, Go posted a 1.96 ERA over 41 1/3 innings, showing enough promise for the Twins to acquire him as they searched for additional bullpen depth.

Another Opportunity Will Have to Wait

Minnesota's bullpen has lacked consistency throughout the season, meaning there is still a realistic path for Go to earn another opportunity in the majors once his suspension ends. However, the challenge has become significantly steeper.

Players on the fringe of a big-league roster have little margin for error, and a suspension involving an illegal foreign substance raises questions that Go now has to answer with his performance. The Twins were hoping he could become another reclamation success story, but first he'll have to regain the organization's trust. 

If he can rediscover the form that made him dominant in Detroit's farm system, another call to Minnesota remains possible. But after this latest setback, he'll have to earn that opportunity all over again.

 

 

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