What Does DFA Mean in Baseball?

FILE - Washington Nationals' Dominic Smith heads to the dugout after striking out during the seventh inning of a baseball game.
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
  • DFA stands for “designated for assignment.”
  • Being designated for assignment takes a player off the 40-man roster.
  • Players can be traded after being DFA’d.

The players with the shortest MLB odds to win MVP or the Cy Young aren’t at risk of being DFA’d. They are bound to see teammates DFA’d throughout the regular season, however, as front offices tweak their rosters. 

A DFA decision isn’t going to change which team is favoured for the World Series in the latest baseball odds. It is a very significant moment for the player involved, though. 

What Does it Mean to Be DFA Baseball?

A player is removed from the team’s 40-man roster when they are DFA’d in MLB. 

Within seven days, the player must be traded, placed on waivers, “outrighted” to the minor leagues, or released. 

A player is usually DFA’d to clear space on the 40-man roster. If the player is claimed off waivers, the player immediately goes to the other team and takes a 40-man spot. 

What Does DFA Stand for in MLB?

DFA stands for “designated for assignment.” 

Teams will DFA a player to remove them from the 40-man roster. This is used when a player is underperforming, or the team needs to create space to add another player.

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