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SAN DIEGO — Center fielder Jackson Merrill was out of the lineup on Friday for the Padres’ series opener against the A’s at Petco Park, but manager Craig Stammen noted that tests on Merrill’s ailing back came back negative for any fractures or structural damage.
“He’s just sore and bruised, and he’s day to day for when he’ll be back,” Stammen said.
Merrill sustained the injury while leaping in an attempt to rob Shohei Ohtani’s leadoff home run on Wednesday night. As Merrill descended from that leap, he collided hard with the right-center-field wall.
Merrill was clearly shaken up but would remain in the game for a few innings before he was removed. He later underwent both a CT scan and an MRI.
It’s unclear when Merrill will be available to return. He’s technically available off the bench on Friday, but Stammen noted he would need to clear a number of pregame hurdles first.
Bryce Johnson, the only backup center fielder on the roster, was in the lineup in Merrill’s place, batting eighth.
Any absence for Merrill would obviously be a notable blow for a Padres offense that has struggled this season. Then again, Merrill himself has been a major part of those struggles. He is hitting just .203 with a .595 OPS this season.
“Probably not up to his expectations, nor ours,” Stammen said when asked to assess Merrill’s season. “Especially at the plate. But defensively, he’s been amazing, and he’s been great on the basepaths, too.”
Merrill’s absence leaves the Padres light on left-handed bats, with Jake Cronenworth already on the IL. Not that that was an issue on Friday, facing A’s lefty Jeffrey Springs. Gavin Sheets was the only left-handed hitter in the lineup. Johnson, of course, was in the lineup as well as a switch-hitter.
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