Woo-Suk Go’s return to Triple-A didn’t even make it to the mound.
The Minnesota Twins’ recently demoted right-hander was ejected before his Saints debut on Friday night after umpires inspected his glove and found what they believed was a foreign substance. Go had been lined up to work out of the bullpen, but the outing ended before he could throw a pitch.
Home plate umpire Steven Hodgins checked the inner palm of Go’s glove, then met with the rest of the crew. From there, Saints manager Brian Dinkelman, pitching coach Carlos Hernandez and Go’s translator were brought in for the discussion. A few minutes later, Hernandez signaled to the bullpen to get someone ready, and CJ Culpepper took over for Go.
The ejection came just four days after the Twins sent Go back down. Minnesota had hoped the move would pay off after the Tigers passed on bringing the Korean pitcher to the big leagues, but his brief run with the Twins never got on track.
In four appearances with Minnesota, Go gave up four earned runs on eight hits, including two home runs, while striking out four and walking two. That left him with a 9.00 ERA and a 2.500 WHIP in the majors.
Go had been far more effective in the minors, posting a 2.60 ERA over 27 2/3 innings with the Toledo Mud Hens in the Tigers organization, including an appearance against the Saints. But that success didn’t carry over during his first MLB stint, and his first chance back in St. Paul ended before it began.
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