Robert Dugger

Robert Lee Dugger (born July 3, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Oakland Athletics organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds. He has also played in the KBO League for the SSG Landers.

Amateur career
Dugger attended Tomball High School in Tomball, Texas. In 2013, as a senior, he led Tomball to a Texas UIL 4A State Championship, throwing a complete game in which he allowed only one run while striking out six, along with going 3–4 at the plate, including a three-run inside-the-park home run. He was named to the 4A All-State Baseball Team that year. Undrafted out of high school, he enrolled at Cisco Junior College where he played college baseball. In his two years at Cisco, he compiled ERAs of 5.40 and 4.37. After his sophomore year, he transferred to Texas Tech University. As a junior at Texas Tech, he was 6–1 with a 2.67 ERA over $60 2⁄3$ relief innings. After his junior year, he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 18th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.

Seattle Mariners
After signing with the Mariners, Dugger was assigned to the Everett AquaSox before being reassigned to the Arizona League Mariners. He also pitched in two games for the Tacoma Rainiers. In 12 games (six starts) between the three teams, he went 2–1 with a 4.62 ERA. In 2017, he began the season with the Clinton LumberKings where he compiled a 4–1 record, a 2.00 ERA, and a 0.99 WHIP in 22 games (nine starts) and was named a Midwest League All-Star before being promoted to the Modesto Nuts in July, where he finished the season with a 2–5 record and a 3.94 ERA over nine starts.

Miami Marlins
On December 7, 2017, Dugger, along with Nick Neidert and Christopher Torres, was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Dee Gordon and international slot money. He began 2018 with the Jupiter Hammerheads, earning Florida State League All-Star honors, and was promoted to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in May. In 25 starts between the two clubs, he pitched to a 10–7 record with a 3.40 ERA. He returned to the Jumbo Shrimp to begin 2019, earning Southern League All-Star honors, before being promoted to the New Orleans Baby Cakes in June.

On August 5, 2019, the Marlins selected Duggar's contract and promoted him to the major leagues. He made his major league debut that day versus the New York Mets, allowing six runs over five innings pitched.

Seattle Mariners (second stint)
On December 7, 2020, Dugger was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners. On February 19, 2021, Dugger was designated for assignment after the signing of Ken Giles was made official. On February 23, Dugger was sent down to the Triple-A level Tacoma Rainiers. On April 15, 2021, Dugger was selected to the active 40-man roster ahead of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles. In 12 games for the Mariners in 2021, Dugger posted a 7.36 ERA with 19 strikeouts. On August 22, Dugger was designated for assignment by the Mariners. On August 24, Dugger cleared waivers and was assigned outright to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.

Tampa Bay Rays
On March 24, 2022, Dugger signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. He was assigned to the Triple–A Durham Bulls to begin the year, and was selected to Tampa Bay's active roster on May 1. He allowed three runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts across $5 1⁄3$ innings, and was designated for assignment the following day.

Cincinnati Reds
On May 4, 2022, the Cincinnati Reds claimed Dugger off waivers. On May 9, the Reds designated him for assignment. On May 10, Dugger cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Louisville Bats.

On May 12, Dugger was re-selected to the active roster. However, he didn't make an appearance for the Reds before he was designated for assignment again on May 14. On May 16, he cleared waivers and again returned to Louisville.

On July 7, the Reds yet again selected Dugger's contract. The next day, the Reds designated him for assignment and was sent outright to Triple-A. Dugger was selected to the major league roster for a third time on August 5 to make a start against the Milwaukee Brewers. On October 4, Dugger was once again designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Louisville on October 6. However, Dugger rejected the outright assignment and instead elected free agency the same day.

Texas Rangers
On March 29, 2023, Dugger signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization. He spent the year with the Triple–A Round Rock Express, registering a 7–10 record and 4.31 ERA with 143 strikeouts in $146 1⁄3$ innings pitched. Dugger became a free agent following the season on November 6.

SSG Landers
On November 27, 2023, Dugger signed with the SSG Landers of the KBO League. In 6 starts for the Landers, he struggled to an 0–3 record and 12.71 ERA with 18 strikeouts across $22 2⁄3$ innings pitched. Dugger was released by SSG on April 27.

Oakland Athletics
On May 17, 2024, Dugger signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics organization.