Panik keeps Gold Glove

Gold Glove awards first are presented to players at a winter dinner in New York. Then the trophies are crated and shipped to the teams for another ceremony during the first week of home games.

Joe Panik had a different approach at this year’s dinner: He grabbed the hardware, stuck it in his car and drove off. “Listen,” he told organizers, “I’m taking this home with me. I live an hour away. I want it now. I want to enjoy it at home.”

Panik received the trophy again in a pregame ceremony Wednesday, along with fellow first-time Gold Glover Buster Posey, and Brandon Crawford, who won his third in a row.

Panik’s win was a surprise because he started only 118 games. It also seemed like Colorado second baseman DJ LeMahieu, the 2014 winner, might wrest it back from Miami’s Dee Gordon, who won in 2015, then missed half of 2016 on a steroid suspension. Instead, Panik became the fifth National League second baseman in five years to win.

Panik said Wednesday that he believes his defense has improved every year, the more he has worked with infield coach Ron Wotus and with increasing experience at second base after moving from shortstop, his original position.

He also credits Crawford and Brandon Belt being on either side of him. Posey better: Manager Bruce Bochy said head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner reported Posey feeling better than he did Tuesday in the wake of Monday’s beaning. Posey joined Crawford and Panik on the field for the ceremony.

Posey watched Tuesday night’s game from the dugout, a good sign because the lights and noise did not worsen his concussion symptoms.

Posey is eligible to return from the seven-day concussion list in Kansas City on Tuesday. Upton official: Melvin Upton Jr. passed his physical and reported to extended spring training in Arizona. The Giants do not have a timetable for the outfielder’s promotion from there to Triple-A Sacramento.