© Jeff Hanisch | 2019 Jul 23
Joe Panik is safe, for now. The Giants announced a series of roster moves ahead of their game vs. the Rockies on Friday, activating new second baseman Scooter Gennett and calling up Steven Duggar, while also designating Tyler Austin for assignment and sending Dereck Rodriguez to triple-A.
For the time being, the Giants will carry three second basemen in Panik, Gennett, and Donovan Solano. Panik can still be sent down to triple-A by the Giants but he would have to accept the assignment. If he doesn’t, he would become a free agent.
The Giants acquired Gennett, 29, in a deadline deal with the Reds for cash considerations. When healthy Gennett is one of the better second baseman in the majors, posting a .310/.357/.490 slash line with 23 home runs last year in an All-Star season. He’s been relegated to just 21 games this season as he dealt with a groin injury, but is expected to be healthy upon joining the Giants.
Panik, 28, is having an even more disappointing season than a down year in 2018, slashing just .232/.306/.315 in 99 games. How much more of a shot he is going to be given with his replacement seemingly on the roster remains to be seen.
Instead, it was Tyler Austin who was sent down to make room for Gennett. Austin got off to a hot start but hit just .187 with one home run in the month of July.