The San Francisco Giants designated second baseman Joe Panik for assignment Tuesday, no longer needing him to play regularly with the acquisition of Scooter Gennett at the trade deadline. Bruce Bochy called it one of the most difficult meetings he has had in his managerial career when he informed Panik after Monday night's 4-0 loss to the Nationals. The 28-year-old Panik, a first-round draft pick by the Giants in 2011 and key contributor on San Francisco's 2014 World Series champion team, was batting .235 with three homers and 27 RBIs in 103 games this season.