The Padres officially announced that outfielder Jackson Merrill has been placed on the seven-day injured list for concussion-related issues. Infielder/outfielder Trenton Brooks will join the roster in Merrill’s place, as San Diego selected Brooks’ contract from Triple-A.
The placement isn’t a surprise, as Merrill was shaken up and had to be removed from Saturday’s game after receiving a hard tag from Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte. Merrill was attempting to steal second base in the seventh inning, and Marte’s tag hit Merrill right in the front of his helmet. Merrill needed a few minutes to recover before leaving the field with team trainers.
It had already been decided that Merrill would sit out today’s game to undergo further examination, and it seems as though the Padres have opted to be safe and give Merrill at least the full week to recover. As always with concussion symptoms, no real timeline exists for recovery, as Merrill could conceivably start feeling better as soon as tomorrow, or he might be sidelined for well beyond the seven-day minimum.
Merrill already missed a month of action due to a hamstring strain earlier this season, but when he has been able to play, he has continued the impressive form that made him the NL Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2024. Merrill is hitting .304/.349/.474 with five homers over 186 plate appearances this season, translating to a 132 wRC+ that narrowly tops the 130 wRC+ he posted over 593 PA in 2024.
Brandon Lockridge and Tyler Wade covered most of the workload in center field during Merrill’s previous IL stint, so that duo figures to handle things up the middle for the time being. There’s no easy way for the Padres to truly replace Merrill, of course, and the outfield mix is also still missing Jason Heyward, who is on a minor league rehab assignment.
The left-handed hitting Brooks will try to help out as depth at first base and in left field. The longtime minor league veteran finally made his big league debut last season at age 28, and Brooks appeared in 12 games for San Francisco (with a .361 OPS in 28 plate appearances) in his first taste of the majors.
Catching on with San Diego on a minors deal last winter, Brooks’ production at Triple-A El Paso has surpassed even his previous solid Triple-A numbers, as Brooks has a whopping .311/.411/.590 slash line and 14 homers over 270 PA for the Padres’ top affiliate. Replicating anything close to that at the MLB level would be immensely helpful to the Padres, and for Brooks’ chances of sticking around in the Show.
Major League Pitchers who injure hitters with their pitches should be suspended for the same amount of time that the hitter is unable to play due to injury
Ok, but Merrill wasn’t HBP, his injury happened while sliding into 2nd base.
And he was only on base because the pitcher allowed him to be. The pitcher’s failure was the proximate cause of the injury
But only if causal failure is preemptive to the statutory. And I’m not saying it isn’t, especially in the sphere of AI dictate.
You have no idea what you are speaking about or who you’re dealing with, empty-headed child
I suggest you fall in line
just don’t discount the role of the inevitable Rossby wave
Brew88,
Stevie Steve can measure intent. He can look into the eyes and heart of every player and discern the darkness or purity of their motivation for every act.
I’m fact, he can ascertain that Merrill’s parents birthed him only – and specifically – so he could suffer this fate.
I suggest we all fall in line and yield to his powers.
Yes I have supernatural powers and I can tell you like harassing minors
Are you the teenager who claims to know everything and then whines about being “harassed” when someone questions your clairvoyance?
My name is Steve Stephens from Illinois. I witnessed your harassment of that young boy and I think you are psychotic for engaging with minors on the internet
Goodbye, mayo monkey
Steve,
Anyone on this comment board could be – or claim to be – any age.
And you have no special knowledge of anything from what I’ve read.
Just when I thought your first comment was the most hilarious I would read today, you go and reply with another.
And please, go on….
Merrill just cant stay healthy
He can’t steal bases either
A little premature and inapplicable.
He’s got one stolen base on the season
It’s wide open not being block and he’s allergic to it at this point.
Jesus Sanchez is allergic to hitting home runs too I guess right?
Get back quick, JM…you’re needed!!!
This is the old school fuddy-duddy in me talking, but if you slide spikes-first you don’t expose easily injured parts of your body and you also give the fielder something to thing about.
congrats Trenton brooks
Trying to remain optimistic but not sure how more the pads can endure before this season slips away
The Padres should call the Cardinals about Michael Siani. He’s a Mike Shildt-type player who could give Merrill a break in CF and maybe help him avoid the wear and tear. The cost to acquire would be minimal and the Cardinals would probably be happy to get something in return for what is essentially found money.
But I defer to Stevie…..
Head first slides lead to a myriad of injuries.
Can’t understand why players don’t slide feet first more
to protect their head, hands, arms etc.
“Breakway” feet first slides still allow the runner to elude the tag on a close play.
Padres need better production from LF
(as everyone knows)
Miami’s Marlins Kyle Stowers LF/RF would be a great pickup.
He is also a native of San Diego.
Also, he may be less expensive than Boston’s Duran.
That’s what I’ve been saying since late April! Stowers.
But he won’t be cheap at this point