Designated for assignment (or DFA)[1] is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must either:[2]
return the player to the 40-man roster within 10 days from the date of designation, or
make one of the following contractual moves:
Place the player on waivers (which can only be done within the first 7 days of the 10-day period)
Trade the player
Release the player
Outright the player from the 40-man roster into the Minor Leagues