Suspension Reduced for South Korean Pitcher Go Woo-suk in Unprecedented MLB Ruling

The suspension imposed on national team pitcher Go Woo-suk, currently playing in U.S. professional baseball, has been reduced.

His agency, Rico Sports Agency, announced today, Korea time, that "the 10-game suspension imposed on Go Woo-suk over allegations of foreign substances on his glove has been reduced to 8 games following an appeal process."

Go, who plays for the St. Paul Saints, a minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, made a relief appearance in a home game against the Columbus Clippers in the 2026 minor leagues held at CHS Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 25, but was ejected before throwing a single pitch.

Stepping up as the team's third pitcher in the top of the 7th inning with a 2-3 deficit, Go was subjected to a glove check by the third base umpire while walking from the bullpen to the mound, and was ordered to leave the game on the grounds that a foreign substance was found inside his glove.

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball imposed a heavy penalty on Go following the glove check.

According to the local Minnesota media outlet the Star Tribune, Go received a 10-game suspension starting from the 26th after illegal foreign substances were found on his glove.

Under Major League Baseball regulations, if a pitcher is caught using foreign substances, they are subject to an immediate ejection along with a 10-game suspension.

Go's side immediately initiated an appeal process through the Major League Baseball Players Association.

As a result of the appeal, the suspension was finalized and reduced by 2 games to 8 games.

Rico Sports Agency explained, "Since Major League Baseball tightened its crackdown on the use of foreign substances, there has been no precedent of pitchers ejected and disciplined over foreign substance allegations on their gloves successfully reducing their suspension games through an appeal," adding, "Go will be able to play in games starting August 4, local time."

With the suspension retroactively applied from June 26, Go was initially in a position where he could return to Triple-A on the 7th.

However, with the decision to reduce his suspension by 2 games, his suspension ended on the 3rd, and after resting on the 4th, he will be able to take the field for the St. Paul game on the 5th.

Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Lee Dain | Graphics by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.