Amazin’s ink Panik, put him in starting lineup
Well before the regular season began, Brodie Van Wagenen and Mickey Callaway asked a packed room of professional baseball players and coaches to stand up if they had postseason experience. It was the first day of spring training workouts, and those that stood up accounted for roughly 150 playoff games. Six months later, the Mets’ newest player brings with him 21 more games of postseason exposure, including seven in the World Series.
Joe Panik officially signed as a free agent with the Mets hours before the red-hot Amazin’s kick
off a decisive three-game matchup against the Nationals on Friday. To make room for Panik on the 40-man roster, the Mets designated utility infielder Adeiny Hechavarria for assignment. Hechavarria was owed $1 million in roster bonus money on Saturday if he was kept on the 40-man roster.
Pani k started at second base on Friday night and went 1 for 4 in the Mets’ thrilling 7-6 win over the Nats.
Panik was DFA’d by the Giants on Tuesday, and had been their regular second baseman since 2014. The 28-year-old cleared waivers and the Mets swooped
in shortly after. Panik was born in Yonkers and attended St. John’s University in Queens.
“I was ecstatic,” Panik said. “You never know what’s going to happen in these types of situations. It couldn’t have worked out better for myself, personally. A lot of friends and family in the area. For me to be coming to a club that’s hot right now in a playoff push, it’s very exciting. For me, it’s a great situation.”
Panik brings a solid glove to the Mets’ scrappy infield. But he was hitting just .235 with a career-low .627 OPS before the DFA. Perhaps a change of scenery will help spark his bat. Panik said after spending his entire professional career with the Giants, the Mets represent a fresh start for the second baseman. Interestingly, it didn’t take much convincing from Van Wagenen’s part to land the veteran.
NO CANO TIMETABLE
When it comes to the possibility of Robinson Cano returning to the lineup this year, all the Mets can do is sit back and cross their fingers.
In his first public press conference since sustaining a torn left hamstring, Cano said he does not have a timeline on his injury. All he can do is continue to receive treatment and hope for the best.
When Brodie Van Wagenen was asked whether Cano will return to the field this year, the first-year general manager had only three words to offer. “Time will tell,” Van Wagenen said.
Cano had posted nine hits in his last 15 at-bats and smashed his 10th home run of the year on Aug. 1 against the White Sox to help carry the Mets to their seventh straight win. He’s slashing .289/.318/.578 with an .896 OPS, six homers and 14 RBI over 21 games since the All-Star break.
DREAM COME TRUE
The Mets added a reinforcement to their bullpen on Thursday by signing right-hander Brad Brach. The Freehold, N.J., native was released by the Cubs on Monday and spent a few days on the East Coast before the Mets picked him up.
The 33-year-old is a former All-Star and has posted a 3.32 career ERA with 33 saves over nine major league seasons with the Padres, Orioles, Braves and Cubs. Brach has pitched in 311 games since 2015, the ninthmost in the majors.
“This is kind of a dream come true coming to New York,” said Brach, who played at Monmouth University. “When I grew up, I wanted to be a Met. Not necessarily make the major leagues, but be a Met. To get to do this is pretty awesome.
“I’ve had friends and family reach out to me. It’s been a fun 48 hours.”
Brach had 45 strikeouts in 39.2 innings, going 4-3 in 42 games with the Cubs this season. He has racked up 527 strikeouts in 495.2 career innings. Brach has pitched in the postseason in 2014 and 2016 with Baltimore and last year with Atlanta.
NIMMO ON THE HORIZON
The Mets moved Brandon Nimmo (bulging cervical disc in neck) to the 60-day injured list Monday to make room for Brach on the 40-man roster. But there have been rumblings of Nimmo ramping up baseball activities down in South Florida at the Mets’ minor-league facility.
Nimmo was shut down from baseball activities for 30 days from mid-June to late last month.
He last played in a big-league game on May 20 against the Nationals, immediately after the Mets were swept by the Marlins in Miami. The neck injury occurred in mid-April after crashing into the center-field wall while attempting to make a catchagainst the Braves.