With their starting rotation depth stretched thin, the Royals acquired right-hander Randy Dobnak from the Mariners on Wednesday for cash considerations, the club announced.
Dobnak, 31, was signed by Seattle this past offseason to a Minor League deal, but he exercised an upward mobility clause in his contract that meant he would have to be added to the Mariners' 40-man roster or offered to the other 29 clubs.
With three starting pitchers currently sidelined with injuries -- Cole Ragans (left elbow impingement), Kris Bubic (left elbow soreness) and Seth Lugo (concussion protocol) -- and having lost six of seven games prior to Wednesday's win over the Nationals in Washington, the Royals accepted.
Dobnak has been selected to the Royals' 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Omaha. The Royals transferred Ragans to the 60-day IL to make room for Dobnak on the 40-man.
Dobnak has made 39 career appearances (21 starts) at the Major League level since making his big league debut with the Twins in 2019, when he posted a 1.59 ERA over 28 1/3 innings for Minnesota. He's dealt with finger injuries that caused him to miss significant time from 2021-22.
In 13 starts for Triple-A Tacoma in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League this year, Dobnak posted a 4.24 ERA.