With the trade deadline approaching and innings piling up, the Detroit Tigers made a pair of moves aimed squarely at solving a growing issue, starting pitching depth.
With innings piling up and options thinning out, the Detroit Tigers made a move Tuesday to reinforce a pitching staff stretched to its limits. The club acquired right-handers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for catcher Enrique Jimenez.
It’s not a blockbuster, but it’s a smart, targeted addition for a team sitting atop the AL Central. The Tigers, now 61–46, have surprised many with their consistency and pitching, while the Twins, sitting at 50–55, appear to be heading in the opposite direction. This deal reflects the current trajectory of both franchises.
Rotation Takes a Hit
The urgency for reinforcements became even clearer when President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris confirmed that Reese Olson will miss the remainder of the season with a right shoulder strain. Olson had been one of the Tigers’ most reliable arms behind Tarik Skubal, and his absence leaves a significant void in the rotation.
Troy Melton just arrived in Triple-A and may not be ready to shoulder a significant MLB workload. As for Alex Cobb, the veteran righty hasn’t appeared in a game this season, and at this point, it’s fair to wonder if he ever will in a Tigers uniform.
Detroit didn’t have enough in the system to cover another injury or regression. More than likely, Keider Montero will get sent back up to Detroit to help out the backend of the rotation.
Chris Paddack: Stabilizing the Middle
Paddack, 28, brings starting experience and innings to a rotation that needed both. He’s made 17 starts this year for the Twins and, while his results have been mixed, he consistently throws strikes and gets deep into games. He limits walks, and his first pitch strike rate of 65.3% is above the league average of 61.1%.
This isn’t a bet on upside, it’s a bet on dependability. The Tigers don’t need him to dominate. They require someone to give them five or six innings every fifth day, take pressure off the bullpen, and keep them in games. In a playoff race, that has real value.
The Tigers may also look to tweak Paddack’s usage to get more out of his arsenal, particularly against lefties. For his career, left-handed hitters have slashed .244/.290/.425 against him with a .716 OPS and a tOPS+ of 96, indicating slightly below-average performance relative to overall league norms. While not overwhelming, it suggests there’s room for improvement. Detroit could adjust his pitch sequencing, lean more into his changeup, or even limit his exposure in certain matchups to help neutralize left-handed bats more effectively. With the Tigers’ track record of optimizing arms, this could be a key area of focus.
Randy Dobnak: Toledo Depth
Let’s be honest, Randy Dobnak is depth, heading to Toledo. He’s not jumping into the rotation or closing games. He also was the same pitcher who pitched in the USBL over in Utica, so fans in the area may have gotten an Uber ride from him.
In return, the Tigers send Enrique Jimenez, just finished his first season in the FCL, who is known for his glove and game-calling, Jimenez was behind Dillon Dingler on the organizational depth chart and wasn’t viewed as part of the long-term plan with Thayron Liranzo and Josue Briceno lurking in Erie.
It’s a fair price for two pitchers who immediately raise Detroit’s floor without touching the core of the rebuild.
Keeping the rotation afloat.
This isn’t about making headlines. It’s about winning the games you’re supposed to win, and not overexposing your pitching staff along the way.
Detroit is in first place. They have a bullpen that’s been taxed. Not only that, but they couldn’t afford to go into August with one injury away from scrambling.
Paddack and Dobnak aren’t headliners. In fact, the hope is, the Tigers add at least another arm and get that right-handed bat. And they might be exactly what the Tigers need to keep control of the division while protecting the arms that got them here. Paddack will make his debut with Tigers on Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.
Other moves:
To make room, Reese Olson was placed on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder strain, effectively ending his season. OF Parker Meadows was also placed on the 10-day IL (quad strain), while Andy Ibáñez and Ryan Kreidler were recalled from Triple-A.
Chris Brown 
Jerry McKennan