Joe Panik will be on the Blue Jays’ Opening Day roster

To the surprise of nobody, Joe Panik will be travelling north remaining in Dunedin with the Blue Jays when the team breaks camp.

Panik, who is currently at spring training on a minor-league deal as a non-roster invite, will reportedly be added to the 40-man roster within the next few days.

There’s no word yet on Francisco Liriano, who’s also at camp as a non-roster invitee. Both players have opt-outs on their minor-league deals before the end of spring training so they can have a chance to stick elsewhere if they don’t crack the Blue Jays roster.

Again, it’s no surprise that Panik has made the team, given the Blue Jays seemed to like him in the backup infielder, utility role last year. Santiago Espinal might be the better player but he’s better off playing every day in Buffalo while Panik’s long-term development as a player isn’t a priority for the organization. I would imagine that Breyvic Valera gets designated for assignment and Panik takes his spot.

Panik slashed a .225/.340/.300 line for the team over 41 games in 2020 and played second, short, and third base.