Go Woo-seok, who is playing in the United States, appears to be showing signs of revival after the shock of being demoted to Double-A.
Go Woo-seok, who belongs to the Erie SeaWolves, the Double-A minor league club under the Detroit Tigers, pitched in relief on the 15th (Korean time) at UPMC Park in Erie, Pennsylvania, against the Harrisburg Senators (the Washington Nationals' affiliate) in the 2026 minor leagues and threw 2 scoreless innings with 1 hit, no walks, and 4 strikeouts in a 30-pitch strong outing.
Go Woo-seok came on as the team's third pitcher in the top of the fifth with his team trailing 3-9. It was his first appearance in five days since the June 10 road game against the Chesapeake BaySox (the Baltimore Orioles' affiliate).
Go Woo-seok struck out leadoff hitter Leandro Pineda and Jack Rogers in succession to quickly record two outs. With two outs and no runners, he gave up a double to the right to Corbin Pichardo, but finished the inning without allowing a run by getting Syver King on a foul-tip strikeout. He showcased dominant pitching by recording all three outs via strikeout.
The top of the sixth was a clean three up, three down. After turning leadoff hitter Cayden Wallis into a grounder to second, he induced a shortstop pop to retire Jonathan Thomas, and got Sam Petersen looking on a strikeout, finishing the inning in an instant with six pitches.
Still trailing 3-9, Go Woo-seok handed the ball to Tanner Colhep in the top of the seventh and left the game feeling good.
Following his Double-A debut on the 10th against Chesapeake, when he threw 2 innings with 1 hit, no walks, 1 strikeout and no runs, Go Woo-seok showed steadiness in two consecutive appearances. He completed multiple innings in both games and delivered clean, walk-free pitching. That day, 20 of his 30 pitches were strikes. Although he is playing at Double-A, a level below Triple-A, back-to-back multi-inning scoreless outings are a meaningful mark.
A former KBO League LG Twins saves king, Go Woo-seok went to the major league spring camp last year with the Miami Marlins as a non-roster invitee and suffered a fracture of the index finger on his right hand. After rehabilitation, as he was rebounding with a 1.59 ERA over five appearances, he was suddenly released, and he continued his challenge for the major leagues by signing a minor league contract with Detroit. Some raised the possibility of his return to LG after the 2025 season, but he chose to sign another minor league contract with Detroit again in December last year.
Go Woo-seok participated in the 2026 World Baseball Classic last month and laid the groundwork for a comeback. In crisis situations he fully displayed the poise of a former saves king, pitching 3 appearances for 3 2/3 innings with 1 strikeout and 1 earned run (unearned) in strong outings.
However, the wall of the U.S. stage remained high. After returning to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens and struggling with no wins, 1 loss and a 20.25 ERA in 2 appearances, Go Woo-seok was notified of a demotion to Double-A on the 9th.
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