Randy Dobnak DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Minnesota Twins right-handed reliever Randy Dobnak will take the open spot in the team's bullpen and will be on the Opening Day roster for Thursday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals on the road, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune's Bobby Nightengale. Dobnak was initially sent to the minors in camp, but injuries to Brock Stewart (hamstring) and Michael Tonkin (shoulder) have opened up a spot for the 30-year-old veteran in the big-league bullpen to open the year. In his fourth year with the Twins in 2024, Dobnak held a 5.59 ERA (4.61 FIP) and 1.65 WHIP with seven strikeouts and five walks in only 9 2/3 relief innings at the big-league level. A finger injury that required surgery derailed his career, and he didn't pitch in the majors at all in 2022 or 2023. Dobnak will need to improve his control if he wants to stick around once Stewart and Tonkin come off the injured list.

The Minnesota Twins are set to recall right-hander Randy Dobnak from the minors. Dobnak last pitched in the major leagues on Sept. 1, 2021. The 29-year-old is 9-5 with a 3.61 ERA at Triple-A St. Paul this year and leads the International League in victories, is third in innings pitched (99 1/3) and strikeouts (102) and is fourth in ERA. He pitched in 42 games from 2019-21 for the Twins and started 26 contests, going 11-15 with a 4.94 ERA before signing a five-year, $9.25 million deal in 2021. Dobnak is earning $2.25 million in 2024. He suffered a rupture of the tiny ligaments in his right middle finger three years ago and recurred even worse in 2022. Dobnak had to remake himself as a slider/changeup pitcher because of the injury. He's likely to pitch in a long-relief role in Minnesota, which won't give him much fantasy appeal.