Utica Unicorns

Dobnak went undrafted out of college in 2017 and played for the Utica Unicorns of the United Shore Professional Baseball League.^[3] Dobnak had previously caught the attention of Utica manager Jim Essian when Dobnak played with Essian's son as a freshman and sophomore at Alderson Broaddus.^[4] Dobnak recorded a 3–0 record and 2.31 ERA in 6 appearances with Utica.

Minnesota Twins

On August 1, 2017, Dobnak signed a minor league contract, receiving a signing bonus of $500, with the Minnesota Twins^[5] off the strength of YouTube videos of his outings - the Twins never scouted him in person.^[6] He played for the Elizabethton Twins and the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 2017, combining to go 2–0 with a 2.43 ERA in 33 innings.^[7]

In 2018, Dobnak returned to Cedar Rapids, going 10–5 with a 3.14 ERA in 129 innings.^[7]

In 2019, Dobnak began the season with the Class A-Advanced Fort Myers Miracle, then advanced to the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos, and the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings.^[8] With those three teams in 2019, he compiled an overall 12–4 record with 2.07 ERA in 24 games (21 starts), while striking out 109 batters in 135 innings.^[9] On August 8, 2019, the Twins selected Dobnak's contract and promoted him to the major leagues.^[10][11] He made his debut on August 9, pitching four scoreless innings in relief.^[12] With the 2019 Twins, Dobnak was 2–1 with one save and a 1.59 ERA in nine appearances (five starts), while striking out 23 in 28+1⁄3 innings.^[7] He was included on the Twins' postseason roster, and started game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees.^[13]

With the 2020 Minnesota Twins, Dobnak appeared in 10 games, compiling a 6–4 record with 4.05 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 46+2⁄3 innings pitched.^[14]

On March 28, 2021, Dobnak and the Twins agreed to a five-year, $9.25MM extension that included three club option years with escalators that can bring the total amount up to $29.75MM.^[15] On July 17, Dobnak was placed on the 60-day injured list with a finger strain.^[16] On September 1, Dobnak was activated off of the injured list.

On March 21, 2022, Dobnak was placed on the 60-day injured list with discomfort in his right middle finger, the same finger in which he had suffered a strain in the year before.^[17] On September 14, 2022, the Twins placed Dobnak on outright waivers and he was sent to Triple-A.

Dobnak spent the 2023 season with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints.^[18] He appeared in 31 games (26 starts), compiling a 5–9 record with 5.13 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 126+1⁄3 innings pitched.

On February 14, 2024, Dobnak joined the Twins in spring training as a non-roster invitee.^[19]