Dodgers DFA Jonathan Hernández: Stunning Roster Shakeup
Dodgers Shuffle Pitchers: Stewart Returns, Hernández Sent Down (Again)
Welcome to Baseball Roster Moves 101! If words like "designated for assignment," "waivers," or "options" make your head spin, you’re in the right place. We’ll explain everything like you’re five—no baseball degree required.
What Just Happened?
The Los Angeles Dodgers made two moves that cancel each other out on the 40-man roster:
- Good News: Right-handed pitcher Brock Stewart is healthy again. He has been reinstated (added back) from the 15-day Injured List (IL).
- Corresponding Move: To make room for Stewart, right-handed pitcher Jonathan Hernández was Designated for Assignment (DFA).
Important: The "40-Man Roster" Limit
Think of the 40-man roster like a VIP guest list for a club. Only 40 people are allowed on the list at once. If you want to add someone new (Stewart), you must remove someone else (Hernández) to stay at the limit.
Who is Jonathan Hernández? (The "41st Man")
Jonathan Hernández is a 30-year-old reliever who has had a wild, rollercoaster year with the Dodgers. He’s earned the nickname the "Unofficial 41st Man" because he keeps getting added and removed from that VIP list.
His 2026 Journey (So Far)
- Spring: Started the year with the Philadelphia Phillies on a Minor League deal (not on the VIP list).
- May: Opted out of his Phillies deal. Signed a Major League deal with the Dodgers (added to the VIP list).
- Summer: Became a "yo-yo." Whenever the Dodgers needed a fresh arm for a few days, they called him up. When they needed the roster spot back, they sent him down.
The "DFA" Rollercoaster: A Step-by-Step Guide
Because Hernández is out of "Minor League Options" (a rule that usually lets teams shuttle players up and down freely), the Dodgers have to use a risky process called Designated for Assignment (DFA) every time they want to remove him.
Here is how his year has gone down:
1⃣ First DFA (Early Summer)
- Dodgers needed a spot → DFA’d Hernández.
- He went on the "Waiver Wire" (a 7-day waiting list where all 29 other teams can claim him).
- Result: Nobody claimed him. He cleared waivers.
- He accepted an "Outright Assignment" to Triple-A Oklahoma City (stayed in the org, off the 40-man).
- Later: Dodgers needed him back → Added him to the 40-man roster again.
2⃣ Second DFA (Mid-Summer)
- Dodgers needed a spot again → DFA’d Hernández again.
- Result: Cleared waivers again.
- This time, he had enough service time to say "No thanks" to the minors. He elected Free Agency.
- Plot Twist: The Dodgers re-signed him almost immediately to a new Major League deal (back on the VIP list).
3⃣ Third DFA (Right Now – August 19)
- Brock Stewart is healthy → DFA’d Hernández for the third time.
How Has He Actually Pitched?
When he has been on the mound for LA, the results have been… mixed.
| Stat | Number | What it Means (ELI5) |
|---|---|---|
| Innings | 25 ⅓ | About 1.5 innings per appearance. |
| ERA | 5.68 | He allows roughly 5-6 runs per 9 innings (below average). |
| Strikeout % | 20.2% | Gets a strikeout about 1 time in 5 batters. |
| Walk % | 11.9% | Walks about 1 in 8 batters (a bit high). |
| Ground Ball % | 40.5% | Gets batters to hit the ball on the ground ~40% of the time. |
The Bottom Line: He’s a "replacement level" reliever—okay in a pinch, but not someone you must keep on the roster at all costs.
What Happens Next? (The Waiver Wire Waiting Game)
Since the Trade Deadline has passed (July 31), the rules change slightly.
- Waivers Again: Hernández must be placed on waivers (if he isn’t already).
- The Waiting Period: 29 other teams have a chance to claim him.
- Scenario A – Claimed: Another team takes him. He joins their 40-man roster. Dodgers get nothing (maybe a tiny cash consideration). Dodgers lose him for good.
- Scenario B – Clears Waivers (Most Likely): Nobody claims him.
- He can elect Free Agency again (since he’s been outrighted before).
- OR he accepts an outright assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City again.
The Prediction
Based on this season’s pattern: Don’t be surprised if he’s pitching for Triple-A Oklahoma City or back in a Dodgers uniform very soon. The Dodgers clearly like having him as emergency depth, and he clearly likes the organization enough to keep coming back.
Summary
- Brock Stewart is back from injury Added to 40-man roster.
- Jonathan Hernández removed to make room Designated for Assignment (DFA).
- This is Hernández’s 3rd DFA this year. He is the ultimate "shuttle" reliever.
- He has cleared waivers twice already and even elected free agency once, only to re-sign with LA.
- He will go on waivers again. If unclaimed, he will likely return to Triple-A OKC or re-sign with the Dodgers yet again.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What does "Designated for Assignment (DFA)" actually mean?
ELI5: It means "We are taking you off the 40-man VIP list right now. We have 7 days to either trade you, send you to the minors (if you clear waivers), or release you." It’s the "You’re cut… but we have paperwork to do" phase.
What are "Minor League Options" and why does being "out of options" matter?
ELI5: Usually, a team has 3 "option years" where they can send a player on the 40-man roster up and down to the minors freely (like a yo-yo) without risk. Once those 3 years are used up, the player is "out of options." Now, to send them down, the team must DFA them and risk losing them to another team on waivers.
What are "Waivers"?
ELI5: Imagine a bulletin board. When a team DFAs a player, they pin his name on the board for 7 days. Every other team (in reverse standings order—worst team gets first dibs) can say "We’ll take him!" If a team claims him, they get him and his current contract. If nobody claims him, he "clears waivers."
What does "Outright Assignment" mean?
ELI5: After a player clears waivers, the team can "outright" him—send him to the Minor Leagues and remove him from the 40-man roster. He stays in the organization, but he’s off the VIP list. If he has enough service time (like Hernández), he can refuse this and become a free agent instead.
Why would the Dodgers keep bringing back a guy with a 5.68 ERA?
ELI5: Because he’s free depth. He knows the system, the coaches know him, and he’s willing to bounce between OKC and LA. For the last spot on the roster (Spot #40), "reliable enough to eat innings in a blowout" is often more valuable than "high upside but unpredictable." He’s a known quantity.