Why Kansas City Royals added veteran starter in trade with Seattle Mariners
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The Royals acquired right-hander Randy Dobnak from the Seattle Mariners for cash.
- Dobnak joins the Royals' 40-man roster and was optioned to Triple-A Omaha upon arrival.
- Royals face three injured starters, prompting trades for Dobnak and Connor Seabold.
The Kansas City Royals continue to add pitching depth amid injuries to their starting rotation.
On Wednesday, the Royals acquired right-handed pitcher Randy Dobnak from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations.
Dobnak, 31, owns a career 4.86 ERA across five MLB seasons. And, he spent the majority of the 2026 campaign in Triple-A with the Mariners.
The Royals added Dobnak to the 40-man roster. He was also optioned to Triple-A Omaha as the trade was finalized.
Currently, the Royals have three starters on the injured list. Royals All-Stars Cole Ragans (elbow), Seth Lugo (concussion) and Kris Bubic (elbow) have each missed time. It’s led to the club relying on young pitchers to fill the void.
In recent weeks, Stephen Kolek and Luinder Avila have stepped up. However, the Royals still need starting depth until their stars can return.
Dobnak has experience as a starter and reliever. This season, he posted a 5-5 record with a 4.24 ERA in 13 starts with Triple-A Tacoma. He also has six quality starts — which ranks third in the minors.
Last season, Dobnak appeared in one MLB game. He tossed 5 ⅓ innings with the Minnesota Twins.
The Royals will welcome Dobnak’s pitching metrics. He has posted a career 57.2% groundball rate while registering a 13.9% strikeout rate. His skillset pairs well with the Royals’ defensive alignment and the spacious dimensions at Kauffman Stadium.
Dobnak also features four pitches in his arsenal. He offers a sinker, slider, changeup and four-seam fastball. In 2024, Dobnak utilized his slider as his put-away pitch as it registered a 25.9% whiff rate, per Baseball Savant.
This week, the Royals have made two minor trades to restore their pitching staff. The club also acquired right-hander Connor Seabold from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday.
