Stunning Move By Twins As Pitcher DFA'd After 5 Stellar Innings

In one of the more inexplicable DFAs you'll ever see, the Minnesota Twins have strangely designated reliever Randy Dobnak for assignment after a stellar five innings of relief on Sunday in which he allowed just one run on two hits.

Sources: The Twins are designating pitcher Randy Dobnak for assignment. Dobnak, 30, pitched 5.1 innings and allowed only one run in relief against the Cardinals today.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) March 30, 2025

The 30-year-old did not allow an earned run in six innings of work in spring training, earned the last bullpen spot, and carried that strong performance into his first appearance of the regular season. But according to insider Robert Murray, it all wasn't good enough to keep his job.

Twins fans are upset, and have posted to social media about their disbelief.

This is actually despicable @Dobnak_ deserves so much better than this. https://t.co/lmCis5D7lk
— Jake Wood (@woodbat28) March 30, 2025

Should’ve just started Dobnak. Then, to DFA him after he bails out a terrible start by Ober & Rocco? This @Twins team is terrible, from ownership all the way to Rocco.
— Scott (@Banditman39) March 31, 2025

With a $3 million salary (and a $1 million buyout for 2026), it's unlikely that Dobnak gets claimed on waivers, meaning he will be assigned back to the Twins' Triple-A affiliate the St. Paul Saints, a trip he's made several times before in his six-year career with the Twins.

Dobnak had come to the rescue in Sunday's game, bailing out a Twins bullpen after starter Bailey Ober, who came into the game sick, lasted only into the third inning. Dobnak's 5 1/3 innings of relief actually included a 58-minute rain delay.

In six years in the Twin Cities Dobnak has pitched a total of 140.2 innings in many short stints with the big club, posting a 4.86 ERA overall.