Jackson Merrill Update: Padres Remove Outfielder From Lineup Before Brewers Game
Jackson Merrill has struggled to get his bat going in his third season with the San Diego Padres. While the 23-year-old center fielder has continued to thrive defensively in the outfield and on the bases, stealing eight bags without being caught, he has not produced at the plate.
Through his first 41 appearances, he has posted a .215 batting average, .287 on-base percentage, .629 OPS, four home runs and 18 RBIs. Those numbers would all be career-lows for Merrill.
He is clearly capable of much more, as he showed during his electric rookie campaign in 2024 when he earned an All-Star selection, Silver Slugger, runner-up finish in National League Rookie of the Year voting and even finished ninth in MVP voting.
Still, Merrill has not been that player in 2026, which is troubling for the Padres, who have already invested in him long-term with a 10-year, $156 million extension that keeps him in San Diego through the 2035 season.
It remains a solid contract if he plays to his ceiling, but he needs to start producing. He will not have that chance on Thursday for the Padres series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Instead, Bryce Johnson drew the start in center field with Merrill beginning the day on the bench. His absence is fortunately not injury-related, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. "Day off for Jackson Merrill," Cassavell reported on X.
Game 43: Padres at Brewers (Canning vs. Harrison), 10:40 p.m. PT at American Family Field
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) May 14, 2026
Day off for Jackson Merrill. pic.twitter.com/fjIGyduZFH
Merrill will likely still be available to pinch-run or pinch-hit if necessary, and the full day off could serve as a needed reset. His next chance to return to the starting lineup will come Friday as the Padres continue their road trip in Seattle to face the Mariners.
San Diego sits on top in the NL West at 25-17, and if Merrill can rediscover his swing, it would only strengthen their push to finally dethrone the Los Angeles Dodgers as division champions.
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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 1:45 PM.