Ko Woo-suk [Yonhap]
Ko Woo-suk [Yonhap]

Pitcher Ko Woo-suk, who returned home after attempting to break into Major League Baseball, has signed a one-year contract with his former club LG Twins worth 500 million won ($365,000).

LG Twins announced Wednesday that it had completed Ko's registration, adding that he would receive 150 million won — equivalent to three months of the remaining season — as he is rejoining mid-season.

Ko said through the club that he was grateful to fans who had cheered him on with unwavering passion both in Korea and in the United States. "There may not be much of the season left, but I will give everything I have on the mound for the team's remaining wins," he said.

Ko contributed to LG's integrated championship in the 2023 season before receiving the club's permission to pursue a posting to Major League Baseball.

He gained experience across several organizations, including the San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins.

Ko spent most of his time in the United States in the minor leagues. After being notified of his release by Minnesota and receiving no offers from other clubs, his status was transferred to the minors, at which point he decided to return to Korea and arrived back Tuesday.

Under KBO rules, domestic players must be registered by July 31 each year to be eligible for the postseason, meaning Ko will not be available for LG's postseason run this year.

Manager Yeom says Ko could take the mound as early as Thursday

LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-up envisions using Ko as a key bullpen arm capable of pitching up to two innings at a stretch.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's Korea Baseball Organization game against the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, Yeom said Ko had regularly thrown as many as two innings at a time in the United States. "Son Ju-young will continue as the closer, while Ko and Asia-quota player John Kennedy will handle longer stints in the bullpen," he said.

Yeom said the postseason was roughly a month away, making it difficult to move Son back to the starting rotation. "Ko can only pitch during the regular season, so having him throw two innings in the middle of games should be the most effective use," he said.

LG, the reigning integrated champions, have seen a string of key pitchers go down with injuries this season.

"We're very glad to have Ko back," Yeom said. "He will clearly be a big help to the team."

On timing, Yeom said Ko would need to rest Wednesday and Thursday, but added that he could potentially take the mound as early as Thursday against Doosan.

Yeom said Ko had increased his reliance on breaking balls while in the United States, and that the wider strike zone in the KBO — expanded following the introduction of the automated ball-strike system — would work in Ko's favor. He added that KBO hitters had improved their ability to handle hard fastballs over the past three years as more power pitchers entered the league. "I'm not sure whether Ko's fastball will be as dominant as it once was, but with the greater emphasis on breaking balls, I expect him to be competitive," he said.


yul@heraldcorp.com