MILWAUKEE -- Brewers utility man Hernán Pérez elected free agency on Wednesday after the club removed him from its 40-man roster for the second time this year.

Perez, who previously was designated for assignment in June but remained with the organization and finished the season with the Major League team, would have been arbitration-eligible this offseason. He opted to try his luck on the open market after the Brewers outrighted him to Triple-A San Antonio this week.

When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster, and 25-man roster if he was on that as well. Within seven days of the transaction (it was previously 10 days), the player must either be traded, released or placed on irrevocable outright waivers.

The 28-year-old played seven positions during the 2019 season, while slashing .228/.262/.379 in 232 Major League at-bats.

With the move, the Brewers have one opening on their 40-man roster.