Panik got the start at third base and hit seventh during Friday's win over the Rays, going 1-for-4.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran infielder has started three of the last five games, filling in at the hot corner each time, and he hasn't cost himself opportunities by hitting .300 (9-for-30) with three RBI to begin the season. Both Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette have been struggling defensively, so Panik could continue to get more work in the short term, but he's not a viable long-term replacement at either third base or shortstop.

Panik was informed Friday that he made the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old re-signed with the Blue Jays as a non-roster invitee in February, and he showed enough in camp to crack the roster to open the season. Panik appeared in 41 games for Toronto last season and had a .225/.340/.300 slash line in 141 plate appearances. He should operate as a utility infielder.

Panik signed a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old spent 2020 with Toronto and had a .225/.340/.300 slash line with 141 plate appearances in 41 games, and he'll rejoin the organization for 2021. Panik will receive $1.85 million if he makes the big-league roster and could earn an additional $400,000 through incentives. He'd likely fill a utility role, as Marcus Semien, Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette are strong options at the premium infield spots.

Panik went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Panik was the lone bright spot for the Blue Jays as the team was crushed 13-2. He delivered a solo home run in the ninth inning, his first long ball of the season. The absence of Teoscar Hernandez (oblique) had benefited Panik, as Cavan Biggio had shifted to the outfield on a part-time basis. However, with Hernandez back, it may be more difficult for Panik to find plate appearances to close the campaign.

Panik will start at third base and will bat fifth Wednesday against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Panik will stick in the lineup for the fourth time in five games, as Rowdy Tellez's knee injury has indirectly opened up an extra spot for him in Toronto's starting nine in the short term. After going 10-for-21 with six walks in his last seven games, Panik will be rewarded with an assignment in the No. 5 spot in the batting order, the highest he's hit all season.

Panik went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, two RBI and a run Sunday in the Blue Jays' 10-8 win over the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Panik feasted on Boston's beleaguered pitching staff during the five-game series, supplying seven hits and drawing four walks. Though he started in four of those contests, Panik is expected to remain on the bench more often than not when all of Cavan Biggio, Travis Shaw and Jonathan Villar are healthy and available. The veteran will return to the bench for Monday's series opener versus the Yankees.

Panik is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

The Blue Jays have largely been getting by with a platoon of Joe Panik and Santiago Espinal at shortstop after Bo Bichette (knee) went down with an injury Aug. 15, but the deadline-day acquisition of Jonathan Villar likely pushes both Panik and Espinal back into full-time bench roles for the foreseeable future. Panik has posted a career-worst .555 OPS through 66 plate appearances this season.

Panik will start at shortstop and will bat eighth Sunday against the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Set to make his third straight start, Panik has seemingly supplanted Santiago Espinal as the primary option at shortstop while Bo Bichette (knee) is sidelined. Panik is batting .204 with no home runs or steals across 58 plate appearances this season, so he's more of an AL-only consideration at this point.

Panik remains out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Since Bo Bichette (knee) moved to the 10-day injured list Sunday, Panik has started at shortstop in only one of the Blue Jays' five games. Meanwhile, Santiago Espinal will pick up his third straight start at the position in the first game of the doubleheader, suggesting that the Blue Jays may view him as the primary replacement for Bichette.

Panik is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty-hitting Panik will sit for the second day in a row with the Orioles bringing another southpaw (Tommy Milone) to the hill, but the 29-year-old still may be headed for a large-side platoon role at shortstop after Bo Bichette (knee) shifted to the injured list Sunday. Santiago Espinal and Brandon Drury should see reps at the position versus right-handed pitching.