Dobnak has made the major-league roster and will pitch out of the bullpen to begin the regular season, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dobnak had an impressive spring training for Minnesota, striking out 18 and walking none while allowing only one earned run across 13.2 frames. While he'll start the season as a reliever, Dobnak will likely be in line for the rotation when an opening occurs due to injury or poor performance.

Dobnak threw 3.1 scoreless innings with five strikeouts in Friday's spring start. He's thrown 8.2 scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts this spring. He's worked on a new grip on his slider, which gives it more break, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dobnak continues to impress this spring and it looks like his improved slider is generating more strikeouts. However, he won't win a job in the starting rotation as long as fifth starter Matt Shoemaker and the other starters are healthy. He'll likely begin the season in a swingman role, but he is still someone to keep in mind in deeper leagues given the strikeouts he's getting this spring.

Dobnak threw three scoreless innings with six strikeouts in Friday's spring start. He's thrown 5.2 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and no walks this spring.

EDGE Analysis

Dobnak has looked sharp so far, but it's very unlikely he'll win a spot in the rotation unless Matt Shoemaker or another starter is injured. He'll likely begin the season in a swingman role, but he is still someone to keep in mind in deeper leagues given the strikeouts he's getting this spring and the improved defense (ie. Andrelton Simmons at shortstop) behind the groundball pitcher.

Dobnak threw 2.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts in his spring debut in Friday's loss to Atlanta. He pitched in reilef after starter Matt Shoemaker. "Dobber can seemingly handle pretty much whatever role we have for him. He does not overcomplicate things," manager Rocco Baldelli told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

EDGE Analysis

Dobnak appeared to be the leading candidate to win the fifth-starter role, but he looks set to move to a swingman role after the Twins signed Shoemaker. He's nominally competing with Shoemaker, Devin Smeltzer and Lewis Thorpe for the fifth starter role this spring. Shoemaker hasn't been able to stay healthy the last three seasons, so Dobnak could be a factor in the rotation before too long.

Dobnak will face competition for the fifth starter role after the Twins signed Matt Shoemaker to a one-year, $2 million contract.

EDGE Analysis

Dobnak appeared to be the leading candidate to win the fifth-starter role, but he'll now compete against Shoemaker, along with Devin Smeltzer and Lewis Thorpe. Since Dobnak has minor-league options left, it's more likely he'll be used in a swingman role and could be sent to Triple-A for brief stints. Still, Shoemaker will have to perform well in spring training, but Dobnak is now an underdog for a rotation spot.

Dobnak will enter spring training as the leading candidate for the fifth starter role barring a late signing of a veteran free agent, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

If the Twins don't sign a veteran to compete for the role, Dobnak looks like the clear favorite as he'll battle Devin Smeltzer and Lewis Thorpe. Dobnak began last season in the rotation and went 5-1 with a 1.78 ERA through his first six starts, but he was later sent to the alternative site after posting a 8.27 ERA and 26 hits allowed across 16.1 innings in his last four outings. As a groundball pitcher (62.1% in 2020), Dobnak could benefit significantly from Minnesota's signing of Andrelton Simmons and an improved infield defense.

The Twins called Dobnak up from their alternate training site ahead of Tuesday's wild-card opener versus the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Dobnak made the Twins' postseason roster as a long man out of the bullpen, likely earning the spot over Rich Hill. The Twins dropped Dobnak from their rotation in mid-September after back-to-back rocky starts, but he was still an effective depth starter overall in 2020, finishing with a 4.05 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 46.2 innings.

Dobnak was optioned to the Twins' alternate training site Wednesday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dobnak struggled in Tuesday's start as he was charged with his fourth loss of the season, and he'll be removed from the active roster as a result. Jake Odorizzi (abdomen) was reinstated from the injured list to take his place in the rotation. Dobnak will remain with the taxi squad for the team's current road trip, so he'll be available in an emergency situation.

Dobnak (6-4) allowed four earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out four across 4.1 innings to take the loss Tuesday against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Dobnak didn't allow any home runs but faltered in the third inning. Four of the first five batters he faced reached base, resulting in three runs crossing the plate. Dobnak allowed two or fewer runners to score in each of his six outings, but he has surrendered 17 earned runs across 21.1 frames in his last five trips to the mound. He'll look to get things back on track in his next outing, projected to come Tuesday against Detroit.

Dobnak (6-3) took the loss in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, coughing up five runs on two hits, two walks and two HBP over 2.2 innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander threw only 27 of his 47 pitches for strikes before getting the hook in the middle of a third inning in which the Cards sent 11 batters to the plate. Dobnak has now given up at least five runs in two of his last three starts, inflating his ERA to 3.61, and his struggles could put his rotation spot in jeopardy with Michael Pineda pitching well since his return from suspension and Jake Odorizzi (abdomen) closing in on his own return to action.