Joe Panik cleared waivers on Friday and signed with the Mets, the team announced. The second baseman is starting in Friday's game against the Nationals at Citi Field, batting eighth.

Adeiny Hechavarria was designated for assignment to make room for Panik.

Panik, 28, attended John Jay High School in Hopewell Junction, N.Y., and St. John's University before the Giants made him a first-round draft pick in 2011. The Mets are hoping he can slide in at second base and help provide infield depth following the hamstring injury to Robinson Cano.

Panik finished sixth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2014, despite playing in just 73 games that season. He went on to make the All-Star Game in 2015 and was awarded the Gold Glove in 2016, but the last two seasons have been a disappointment.

The second baseman suffered through injuries to his thumb and groin in 2018 and appeared in just 102 games while hitting .254/.307/.332 with four home runs and 24 RBI. He's been healthy enough to play in all but three Giants games this season, but is hitting just .235/.310/.317 with three homers and 27 RBI. He was designated for assignment by the Giants on Tuesday.

Panik is arbitration-eligible at the end of the season and will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2020 season.

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