Randy Dobnak Lands Back in MN Twins Organization

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Randy Dobnak, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins needed length out of their bullpen in St. Louis. That’s because their starting pitching, aside from Joe Ryan, didn’t throw well. The biggest culprit was Bailey Ober. For some reason Rocco Baldelli sent him to the bump despite being sick and it went terribly.

Ober was shelled for eight runs on eight hits in just 2/23 innings against the Cardinals. He had been puking and taking an IV to replace fluids just days prior. It’s not a shock that the results were terrible. The only other pitcher that day was Randy Dobnak, who worked 5 1/3 impressive innings, allowing just one run on two hits.

Minnesota Twins hang onto Randy Dobnak

After the game, Dobnak was designated for assignment, something that has become common practice for the 30-year-old bearded long reliever/starter, thanks to the contract he signed a few years ago.

Because no team is willing to assume the $4 million remaining for his services, so the Twins essentially have unlimited demotions for the righty, without any real concern of losing him. That’s why it was no surprise when news broke Wednesday that Dobnak had cleared waivers and been reassigned to Triple-A Saint Paul.

The Minnesota Twins were always going to retain Randy Dobnak. That’s why, even before he cleared, the Twins had Dobnak on a flight to Columbus, where the Saints are currently playing. Last season, Randy Dobnak worked his way back to the big leagues, after dealing with hand injuries and blister issues for much of the last two seasons.

There was never any issue with Dobnak being DFA’d after the game. Minnesota paid him $9.25 million after the 2020 season because he had proven to be a capable big league starter. He then got hurt and the contract basically acts as an evergreen option for the organization.

MN Twins treatment of Randy Dobnak is questionable

Dobnak “took one for the team” on Sunday in St. Louis. After pitching two innings in relief of Ober, the game was suspended under a 58 minute rain delay. When the skies cleared, Randy Dobnak was back on the mound.

In total, he threw 79 pitches, but sending him out there for round two was a very questionable decision, when thinking about Dobnak’s arm. While the Minnesota Twins spare no expense to protect other arms in the organization, they continue to show very little concern for the health and future of their 30-year-old former Uber driver.

Randy Dobnak’s place with the St. Paul Saints was a question going into the season. In the end, the question never needed answered, after he wound up on the MN Twins Opening Day roster. Now back at Triple-A, Dobnak joins an incredibly crowded starting rotation.

Related: Former MLB GM Sleeping on MN Twins Starting Rotation

David Festa started the first game and Zebby Matthews got the nod in the second. Andrew Morris will start game three, and Marco Raya is the starter for game four. Cory Lewis will presumably start game five and that rounds out the group. Travis Adams, another starter and one that was added to the 40-man roster this offseason, has worked in long-relief already.

Where do MN Twins place Dobnak with Saints?

The St. Paul Saints are currently 2-0, to start the season, and have yet to allow a single run, but two-thirds of the opening series in St. Paul was cancelled. I’ve been told that the plan for Travis Adams is to pitch every fourth day. He may start games, but his biggest focus is to remain stretched out. Look for him to get a call, if something opens up on the Twins’ pitching staff.

Dobnak debuted for the Twins out of the bullpen. He’s best utilized as a starter, and basically worked as one by throwing extensive relief innings. He may not slot into the starting group for Toby Gardenhire, but he could piggy back as Adams is seemingly doing as well.

This shouldn’t be the last Minnesota sees of Dobnak this year, but you can bet it’s the last year that Dobnak will be with the Twins organization.

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