Randy Dobnak: Everything you need to know

The Mariners signed Dobnak to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Dobnak became a free agent last week after the Tigers declined his option for 2026, and he's now headed to the Pacific Northwest. The 30-year-old spent nearly all of 2025 at the Triple-A level, holding a 5.84 ERA over 18 starts and eight relief appearances. Dobnak will likely begin the 2026 season in the rotation at Triple-A Tacoma.

The Tigers declined Dobnak's $6 million option for 2026, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. He'll be given a $1 million buyout instead. Dobnak's inclusion in the deadline trade that also sent Chris Paddack from the Twins to the Tigers was a way for Minnesota to offload additional salary. The 30-year-old is now a free agent after spending nearly all of 2025 at the Triple-A level, where he posted a 5.84 ERA over 18 starts and eight relief appearances.

Dobnak, who was acquired in a trade from Minnesota on Monday, is set to report to Triple-A Toledo, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports. Dobnak has spent most of this season with Triple-A St. Paul outside of a lone long-relief appearance for the Twins back on March 30. The veteran righty could eventually be a swing man for the Tigers as they deal with injuries to Jackson Jobe (elbow), Reese Olson (shoulder), Alex Cobb (hip) and others, but for now, Dobnak will stick as organizational depth in the minors.