Mets sign infielder Joe Panik before game vs Nationals

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets signed infielder Joe Panik before the series opener against the wild card-leading Washington Nationals.

The Mets made the announcement on Friday. The 28-year-old Panik was designated for assignment by the San Francisco Giants this week and later released.

He’s in the starting lineup at second base and batting eighth.

An All-Star in 2015, Panik hit .271 with 36 home runs and 221 RBIs in six seasons with San Francisco.

Panik was a first-round draft pick out of St. John’s University in 2011. A former Gold Glove winner, he played a key role at second for the Giants during their 2014 World Series run.

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