San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (illness) is back in center field and is batting in the cleanup spot for Monday's series opener against the visiting Los Angeles Angels and left-hander Yusei Kikuchi at Petco Park. Merrill was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Colorado Rockies in Denver because he was feeling under the weather, but he's good to go now and should be returned to all starting lineups in redraft leagues despite a lefty-lefty matchup against a pitcher he's never faced. The 22-year-old former 27th overall pick has been outstanding in his 56 at-bats for the Friars this year, going 25-for-56 (.446) with four home runs, 16 RBI, 12 runs and a stolen base. Since returning from an injured-list stint due to a hamstring injury, Merrill has a four-game hitting streak in which he's gone 11-for-19 with a homer, two doubles, six RBI and five runs scored.
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (illness) was removed from Sunday's lineup due to an illness. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his status leading up to their next contest on Monday evening against the Los Angeles Angels. Merrill recently returned from the 10-day injured list earlier this week and has picked up right where he left off, holding a stellar .579/.600/.842 slash line with two doubles, one home run, and six RBI. Before his injury, the former top prospect posted a strong .378/.415/.676 slash line with two doubles and three long balls during his first 10 games of the season. This afternoon, Merrill will be replaced by Tyler Wade, who will cover center field and bat in the nine-hole. The Padres are a strong team to target in DFS, facing Colorado right-hander German Marquez, who carries a high 9.90 ERA.
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill went 2-for-4 with a home run, a run, and two RBI in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Yankees. He's picked up right where he left off after missing a month with a hamstring strain, producing two multi-hit games in his first two games back. He's batting .400 over 12 games this season with four home runs and one stolen base. The 22-year-old will look to build on his elite 2024 rookie season and figures to be a top-15 outfielder for fantasy for years to come.
The San Diego Padres have activated outfielder Jackson Merrill (hamstring) off the 10-day injured list prior to their contest against the New York Yankees on Tuesday. In a corresponding move, the Padres optioned backstop Luis Campusano to Triple-A El Paso. The sophomore outfielder has been sidelined since April 6 with a right hamstring strain. Before his injury, the former top prospect was enjoying an impressive start to his second MLB season, holding a .378/.415/.676 slash line with three home runs and one stolen base. During his debut campaign in 2024, Merrill was the everyday center fielder and posted a solid .292/.326/.500 line with 24 home runs and 16 stolen bases. Fantasy managers should expect Merrill to remain a high-end OF2 given his five-category potential.
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (hamstring) has been traveling on Monday and is believed to have arrived in New York only a short while ago, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee. The plan is for Merrill to come off the 10-day injured list and play in the second game of the series in the Bronx against the Yankees on Tuesday. Brandon Lockridge will make the start in center field on Monday and will hit ninth against Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon, who he has never faced. In addition to traveling on Monday, it's a rainy and wet day in New York, so the Padres aren't going to risk throwing Merrill back out there in those conditions. He's been out since early April with a strained right hamstring, but he's on the cusp on returning and should be thrown back in all starting fantasy lineups immediately. The 22-year-old was on fire before his injury, slashing .378/.415/.676 with a 1.090 OPS in 37 at-bats.
Jackson Merrill To Rehab At Double-A, Expected To Return Monday
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (hamstring) will join Double-A San Antonio for what is expected to be a two-game rehab assignment on Saturday and Sunday. The 22-year-old is expected to rejoin the big league club on Monday against the Yankees, assuming he has no setbacks. The 2024 All-Star was off to a great start this season before the injury, hitting .378 with a 1.090 OPS, .462 wOBA, and a 200 wRC+ over 41 plate appearances, so fantasy managers who spent a lot of draft capital on the left-handed slugger will welcome him back with open arms. Tyler Wade has been filling in at center field and will cede playing time to Merrill once he returns.
Jackson Merrill "Towards The Finish Line" Of His Rehab
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (hamstring) is "towards the finish line" of his rehab, according to manager Mike Shildt. Merrill has spent a couple days at the team's spring training complex in Arizona this week taking live at-bats, and it's unclear if he'll require a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list. The 22-year-old landed on the IL on April 8 with a right-hamstring strain but is knocking on the door to return to the big-league roster, possibly by the end of the weekend series in Pittsburgh against the Pirates if he doesn't need a rehab assignment. If he doesn't rejoin the Padres this weekend, it could come next week in the Bronx against the New York Yankees. Merrill was a first-time All-Star in his rookie season in 2024 and was squaring the ball up regularly before his injury in 10 games, going 14-for-37 with three homers and 10 RBI.
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (hamstring) was able to take batting practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. This is a positive step forward for Merrill who is working his way back from a right hamstring strain. The hope is that Merrill can get into some minor league games within the next few days. If everything goes well, Merrill should be able to get back in the Padres lineup in the early stages of May. Fantasy managers should continue to hold Merrill as he should be back in the mix soon.
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (hamstring) will likely not return to action next week. According to manager Mike Shildt, it is "a little aggressive" to expect the budding star back in the starting nine next week. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression, but it appears the former top prospect will have to wait at least another week before returning. Merrill was enjoying an impressive start to the campaign as he posted a .378/.415/.676 slash line across 10 contests. During this hot start, he tallied two doubles, hit three home runs, and swiped a bag. Before the injury, the Padres signed the 22-year-old to a massive nine-year extension, suggesting he will be the everyday center fielder in San Diego for the next decade. While he remains sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Tyler Wade and Connor Joe to share time in center field.
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (hamstring) is ramping up to baseball activity, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. He was on the field for early batting practice and practiced bunting, but wasn't doing any running yet. There's still no definite timetable for Merrill, who is recovering from a right hamstring strain that he suffered during the first week of April. At the time, he had already racked up three home runs and 10 RBI with a .378 batting average through his first 10 games.
Jackson Merrill
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Padres
