Derek Law Elected Free Agency After DFA

The veteran pitcher has become a free agent following his outright assignment to the minors by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Baseball

Derek Law has entered free agency after being designated for assignment and outrighted to the minors by the Arizona Diamondbacks. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Derek Law has elected free agency after clearing waivers and being outrighted to Triple-A. The Diamondbacks had designated the pitcher for assignment in mid-September.

Why it matters

This move marks the end of Law's tenure with the Diamondbacks, who signed him to a minor league deal earlier this year to bolster their bullpen depth. The team now faces ongoing roster adjustments as they evaluate their pitching corps for the upcoming season.

Law recorded a fastball velocity of 93.2 mph in 2026, a decrease from his 95.1 mph average with the Washington Nationals in 2024. During his 2026 campaign, Diamondbacks pitcher Paul Sewald allowed 12 home runs over just 39 innings pitched.

The players

Derek Law

He is an experienced professional pitcher who spent the 2024 season with the Washington Nationals before joining the Diamondbacks organization.

Justin Martinez

He is a relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks who was unavailable for part of the 2026 season due to injury.

Paul Sewald

He is a relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks who encountered performance challenges during the 2026 season.

The details

After signing with Arizona in January 2026 and debuting for the team in late August, Law was ultimately designated for assignment mid-September. He opted for free agency rather than remaining in the organization following his outright assignment to Triple-A.

January 2026: The Diamondbacks signed Derek Law to a minor league deal.
2024: Derek Law recorded 90 innings pitched for the Washington Nationals.
Mid-August 2026: Justin Martinez returned to the Diamondbacks following an injury.
Late August 2026: Derek Law made his debut for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Mid-September 2026: The Diamondbacks designated Derek Law for assignment.

Season Trajectory

This transaction reflects the Diamondbacks' ongoing efforts to stabilize their bullpen after a season marked by injuries to key arms like Justin Martinez. With several roster spots likely to open up for the 2027 season, the front office is shifting its focus toward retooling the relief corps for next year.

Law's departure leaves a vacancy in the Diamondbacks' bullpen rotation that the team will need to address during the offseason. The availability of Justin Martinez remains a critical factor for the organization's 2027 competitive outlook.

The takeaway

Players who are designated for assignment and clear waivers often seek opportunities with new clubs through free agency to secure major league roles. Veterans like Law frequently leverage these transitions to find organizations with open bullpen spots ahead of spring training.