Hunter Dobbins
Breakdown
Performance
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April 30, 2026
Signs of rust in team debut
Dobbins didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Pirates, allowing three runs on two hits and five walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.
Analysis
Dobbins wasn't sharp in both his Cardinals and season debut following knee surgery last year, tying a career worst in free passes and firing only 41 of his 79 pitches for strikes. St. Louis is working with a six-man rotation for the time being due to a lack of off days, so the 26-year-old right-hander might only be staying in the major leagues temporarily. That said, Dobbins appears likely to get at least one more turn through the rotation next week against the division-rival Brewers.
April 30, 2026
Ready for season, team debut
The Cardinals activated Dobbins (knee) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.
Analysis
Dobbins will start Thursday's game in Pittsburgh as the Cardinals shift to a temporary six-man rotation amidst a 17-day stretch with no off days. He'll be making his team and 2026 big-league debut after posting a 4.37 ERA and 19:9 K:BB over 22.2 innings in five rehab starts with Triple-A Memphis. Dobbins -- who was acquired from the Red Sox over the offseason -- is coming back from ACL surgery, which he underwent last July. He got his pitch count up to as high as 91 on his rehab assignment, so Dobbins should be capable of handling a full workload Thursday.
April 26, 2026
Set for start Thursday
Dobbins (knee) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday in Pittsburgh, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis
The right-hander will be making his Cardinals debut Thursday after opening the season on the shelf while continuing to recover from a torn ACL in his right knee that he suffered last July. Dobbins has made five starts with Triple-A Memphis during his minor-league rehab assignment, producing a 4.37 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with 19 punchouts over 22.2 innings. The Cardinals are expected to temporarily transition to a six-man rotation to make room for Dobbins, who will likely need to perform well in his initial opportunities with the big club to ensure he sticks around in a starting role when St. Louis eventually scales back its rotation to five members.
