Padres Make Roster Decision After Jackson Merrill Update

Jackson Merrill Injury Update

Ahead of a crucial series opener at Petco Park against the Dodgers, manager Mike Shildt provided an encouraging update on Merrill’s status.

Shildt said Merrill has been improving and felt the best he has since suffering the injury, and the team is hopeful he’ll avoid a stint on the injured list.

“Mike Shildt says Jackson Merrill's left ankle strain is beginning to make tangible improvement. No firm IL decision yet. But the Padres have been content to play a man short for now, in the hopes they'll get Merrill back in the coming days,” wrote MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell.

Padres Make Decision to Keep Merrill on Active Roster

If Merrill is not placed on the IL before the first pitch of Friday’s game, it signals that the Padres believe his return is imminent rather than lengthy. San Diego has made the decision up until this point to keep Merrill on the active roster. The reasoning is strategic: if necessary, the team can backdate an IL stint prior to first pitch, making Merrill eligible to return before August 29.

Either way, the Padres appear to be playing it safe with Merrill, who figures to be a vital contributor not only in this season’s playoff push but well beyond. In his absence, trade deadline acquisition Ramon Laureano has taken over in center field, with Gavin Sheets starting in left.