Cardinals' Hunter Dobbins: Optioned after spot start
Rotowire
The Cardinals optioned Dobbins to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.
Dobbins made a spot start Thursday in Pittsburgh, starting strong before losing the strike zone. He finished with three runs allowed on two hits and five walks with four strikeouts over 4.1 frames. The Cardinals are likely to need Dobbins to make further starts this season, but the club will shift back to a traditional five-man rotation for now.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Hunter Dobbins: Ready for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Dobbins (knee) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A Memphis, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Dobbins managed to build up during spring training, though the team has limited him in fielding drills as he continues to rehab from ACL surgery. A timetable for his return from the injured list is unclear at this time, and even once he's fully healthy, it's unknown if he'll have a spot in the rotation waiting for him.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Hunter Dobbins: Goes on IL
Rotowire
The Cardinals placed Dobbins (knee) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Dobbins is still working his way back from July surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. Though he's been able to steadily build up his pitch count throughout the spring through live batting practice sessions and simulated games, he's not yet been cleared for full fielding and agility drills. Once he clears that hurdle in the recovery process, Dobbins may not require an extensive rehab assignment, but the Cardinals aren't guaranteed to have a spot in the rotation available for him upon his return from the IL.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Hunter Dobbins: Opening season on IL
Rotowire
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Sunday that Dobbins (knee) will begin the season on the injured list, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
The right-hander continues to work his way back from ACL surgery last July, and he needs a bit more time before being fully cleared for game action. Dobbins built up to five innings while throwing on the back fields Saturday, but he still has some work to do in regard to fielding his position. The 26-year-old may not require a lengthy absence to begin the season, but he's also not guaranteed to join the big-league club once fully healthy.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Hunter Dobbins: Pitching in minor-league game
Rotowire
Dobbins (knee) will pitch in another minor-league game later this week, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Returning from last July's right ACL surgery, Dobbins threw four innings and around 65 pitches in a previous appearance on the back fields. He was pleased with how that outing went, saying "a lot of the movement profiles have increased" after "some of the tweaks we've been making." Dobbins will be permitted to field his position in the game later this week, but he will not be allowed to cover first base, as the Cardinals are still being protective of his surgically repaired knee. The 26-year-old is set to open the 2026 season either on the injured list or at Triple-A Memphis, but he's a candidate to see starts for St. Louis later this summer.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Hunter Dobbins: Uncertain timeline for return
Rotowire
Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom indicated during the team's recent Winter Warm-Up fan event that it's uncertain whether Dobbins (knee) will pitch in spring training games, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Dobbins needed surgery to repair a torn right ACL in July. He's been throwing all offseason, but the Cardinals could still choose to slow-play their offseason trade acquisition. If healthy, Dobbins will compete for a spot in the St. Louis rotation, but he does have minor-league options remaining and could also be stashed on the injured list for a while. More clarity on Dobbins' timetable should be available once spring training gets underway.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins: Beginning throwing progression
Rotowire
Dobbins (knee) has been cleared to start a full throwing program, the pitcher revealed on his X account Monday.
Dobbins blew out the ACL in his right knee in mid-July and had surgery, but he's expected to have a normal offseason and show up to spring training without restrictions. The right-hander posted a 4.13 ERA and 45:17 K:BB through 61 innings with the big club in 2025 and could compete for a spot in Boston's 2026 rotation.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins: Shifted to 60-day injured list
Rotowire
The Red Sox transferred Dobbins (knee) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for lefty Steven Matz, who was acquired via trade with the Cardinals. Dobbins is out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins: Injury potentially significant
Rotowire
Dobbins is feared to have suffered a serious knee injury during Friday's game against Tampa Bay, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Dobbins hurt himself while covering first base during Friday's contest. Boston is still in the process of evaluating the damage done to the right-hander's knee, which may include an ACL injury, though early indications suggest that he will most likely have to miss a significant amount of time.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins: Exits with injury
Rotowire
Dobbins was removed from Friday's game against the Rays with a right knee injury, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Dobbins pulled up while running to cover first base in the second inning, and he was in clear discomfort while throwing a warm-up pitch after the training staff came to visit him. The team will take a closer look at the 25-year-old righty and should have more information on his status relatively soon.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins: Expected starter Friday
Rotowire
Dobbins (elbow) is expected to be activated off the 15-day injured list Friday and will start that night's game against the Rays, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
The Red Sox cleared a roster spot for Dobbins following Thursday's 4-3 win over Tampa Bay by optioning reliever Isaiah Campbell to Triple-A Worcester. Dobbins had gone 4-1 with a 4.10 ERA, 43 strikeouts and 16 walks over 59.1 innings prior to landing on the injured list with a right elbow strain.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins: Makes first rehab start
Rotowire
Dobbins (elbow) allowed one run on two hits while striking out eight over five scoreless innings for Double-A Portland on Saturday.
Dobbins was dominant and efficient in his first rehab outing, needing 62 pitches (44 strikes) to get through the five innings. The pitch count suggests he could be ready to be activated. Both Dobbins and Tanner Houck (elbow), who had an encouraging outing over the weekend for Portland, could be part of Boston's rotation in the second half.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins: Cleared for rehab start
Rotowire
Dobbins (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Portland this weekend, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Dobbins has missed the last week-plus of action with a right elbow strain but has been cleared for a rehab start after throwing a bullpen session without issue Monday. He's expected to require just one rehab outing, setting Dobbins up to potentially return from the 15-day injured list next week.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins: Throws bullpen
Rotowire
Dobbins (elbow) threw a bullpen session at Fenway Park on Monday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
This was Dobbins' first activity since landing on the 10-day injured list a little more than a week ago. Boston manager Alex Cora indicated the right-hander might go on a rehab assignment this weekend. It is believed that Dobbins will need just one rehab start.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins: Shelved with elbow injury
Rotowire
The Red Sox placed Dobbins on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right elbow strain.
Dobbins wasn't known to be dealing with an injury, but the elbow issue may explain his lack of efficiency in his most recent start in San Francisco on Friday, when he was charged with five runs (four earned) on four hits and five walks over four innings. The severity of Dobbins' elbow strain isn't known, but injuries of this sort often entail an absence of beyond the minimum 15 days. Richard Fitts was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move and will presumably replace Dobbins in the rotation during the upcoming week, though the starting spot could eventually go to Tanner Houck (elbow) upon his return from the IL.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins: Walks five in no-decision
Rotowire
Dobbins allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits and five walks while striking out one over four innings in a no-decision Friday versus the Giants.
Dobbins' five walks were a season high, which is disappointing after a stretch in which he'd walked just two batters over 16 innings across his last three starts. The rookie right-hander struggled early Friday, though he was a bit unlucky, as one run was scored on an error and two others came on double-play grounders. He ended this start with just 39 of 75 pitches landing for strikes. Dobbins has a 4.10 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 43:16 K:BB across 59.1 innings over 12 outings (10 starts) -- he typically hasn't had control issues during his time in the majors, though his walk rates in the upper levels of the minors aren't very impressive. He's tentatively projected for a road start versus the Angels next week, though Dobbins is likely to exit the rotation once Tanner Houck (elbow) completes his rehab assignment. Houck is expected to need at least two more rehab outings, though it hasn't been decided if he'll return as a starter or a reliever. The newly acquired Kyle Harrison could also be an option to bump Dobbins from the rotation if the latter's performance drops.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins: Dominates Yankees for victory
Rotowire
Dobbins (4-1) earned the win over the Yankees on Saturday, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out five batters over six scoreless innings.
Both of the hits Dobbins allowed were singles, and he retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced. The rookie right-hander completed six frames for the third time this season, with all three outings resulting in a quality start. Dobbins has faced the Yankees in each of his past two outings and has earned a victory each time, providing ample justification for the decision to move him back into the rotation. Assuming he remains in a starting role, he's slated for a road matchup in San Francisco his next time out.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins: Picking up another start
Rotowire
Dobbins will start Saturday's game against the Yankees at Fenway Park, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Dobbins will receive his second straight start after he was moved from the bullpen last week to join the rotation as a replacement for Richard Fitts, who was optioned to Triple-A Worcester. Though he failed to record a strikeout in his latest outing Sunday at Yankee Stadium, Dobbins picked up a win while holding a tough New York lineup to three earned runs on four hits and no walks over five innings. Dobbins will head into Saturday's rematch with the Yankees with a 4.20 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 37:10 K:BB in 49.1 innings over his 10 appearances (eight starts) with the Red Sox this season.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins: Victorious in start
Rotowire
Dobbins (3-1) picked up the win Sunday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on four hits and no walks across five innings. He did not record a strikeout.
Dobbins missed two trips through the rotation as the Red Sox replaced him with Richard Fitts in late May, but Boston optioned Fitts to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, allowing Dobbins to re-enter the rotation. He delivered a decent performance Sunday despite throwing just 64 pitches. The 25-year-old rookie failed to strike out a batter and yielded a pair of home runs. Still, he notched his first win since April 18. In eight starts this season, Dobbins owns a 4.35 ERA and a 32:6 K:BB over 41.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins: Fans seven in four frames
Rotowire
Dobbins allowed four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over four-plus innings in a no-decision against Baltimore in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday.
Dobbins yielded two runs in the first inning but got through the next three frames unscathed. The right-hander was pulled after allowing the first two batters he faced in the fifth to get a hit, and both runners came around to score after his departure. Dobbins didn't have a great final line, but he did notch an impressive 14 whiffs on just 72 pitches (51 strikes) while posting a career-best seven punchouts. While his ERA sits at a mediocre 4.21 on the campaign, Dobbins has shown flashes of excellence and holds a strong 32:6 K:BB through 36.1 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face Atlanta on the road in his next start.
