Go Woo-suk optioned to Triple-A El Paso hours before Seoul MLB season opener

The San Diego Padres' Go Woo-suk pitches during the ninth inning of an exhibition game against the LG Twins at Gocheok Sky Dome in western Seoul on Monday. [NEWS1]

Relief pitcher Go Woo-suk was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday morning, just hours before the San Diego Padres were set to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB season opener in Seoul, the city Go called home until he signed with the Padres in January.

Go was demoted to the minors after a disappointing spring training, recording a 12.46 ERA across five games. In his final outing, against his old team the LG Twins on Monday, Go gave up a two-run home run to a former teammate before securing the 5-4 save.

"It's not something I hadn't thought about. I will just have to keep working hard," Go told Yonhap News Agency in the clubhouse, his voice barely audible. "I will try to make it back to the majors during this season."

Go played down the argument that his late finish with the LG Twins in late November and multiple trips between Korea and the United States could have impacted his performance.

"Not everyone is preparing for the season in the same situation,” Go said. “And we're all trying to make it to the majors. We're all professional athletes. I should have done a better job getting ready for this season."

Go joined the Padres on a two-year deal in January. He was the KBO-winning LG Twins’ final pitcher on the mound during Game 5 of last year’s historic Korean Series. He delivered three outs during the ninth inning to secure a 6-2 finish over runners-up KT Wiz and win the series 4-1.

He’s pitched for the Twins since 2017. Go has a career 3.18 ERA over 354 appearances, recording 19 wins and 26 losses. Go ended the Twins’ title-winning season with a 3.68 ERA over three wins and eight losses, appearing in 44 games. Over the last three seasons, Go has posted a 2.23 ERA with 207 strikeouts against 66 walks.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]