What does it mean when a baseball player is designated for an assignment by his team?

It's a kinder, gentler way of getting him off the roster than an outright release.

When a player is DFA'd, his team has three options, one of which must happen within ten days.

1. Trade him to another team (all veto rights the player has apply);

2. Offer him a minor league assignment, which he may reject (if he accepts, this completes the designation); or

3. Release him.

Most DFAs, but not all, end in release.

Basically, it means the player has been cut from the 25 man Major League roster and is now available to be reassigned to one of the farm or minor leaque squads. Some players due to contract or length of service with the same team may be required to clear waivers before they can be sent down. The player may remain on the 40 man roster. If removed from the 40 man roster, there are agains rules regarding waiver. This could also signal the first step in a complete separation from the team altogether.

The team has 10 days to trade, release, or send down the player.

If the player refuses to be sent to the minors, he becomes a free agent.