Merrill went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 10-3 win over the Diamondbacks.
This was Merrill's first steal since May 14. Over the 20 contests between thefts, he hit a meager .224 (15-for-67) with no walks and just one extra-base hit. The 21-year-old still has a respectable .268/.303/.344 slash line with three home runs, 22 RBI, 24 runs scored and eight steals over 63 contests this year. Merrill has been benched against some left-handed pitchers recently, but he should have no trouble maintaining a majority of the playing time in center field over Jose Azocar.
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Padres' Jackson Merrill: Idle against lefty
Rotowire
Merrill is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The lefty-hitting Merrill will watch from the bench as lefty Cole Ragans gets the start for Kansas City. Jose Azocar will fill in for Merrill in center field.
Padres' Jackson Merrill: Getting breather versus lefty
Rotowire
Merrill isn't in the Padres' lineup Tuesday against the Marlins.
The left-handed bat of Merrill will step out of the lineup Tuesday as the Marlins prepare to send Jesus Luzardo to the mound. Jose Azocar will fill the void in center field and bat eighth while Merrill sits.
Merrill is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader in Atlanta.
Merrill started in center field in Game 1 and went 1-for-4 with two RBI, as he brought home San Diego's first two runs on a groundout and a single. Jose Azocar will take over in center field for the nightcap.
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Padres' Jackson Merrill: Not in Wednesday's lineup
Rotowire
Merrill is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Rockies.
The Rockies are sending southpaw Austin Gomber to the hill, so Padres manager Mike Shildt decided it would be a good day to give the left-handed-hitting Merrill a breather. Jose Azocar will patrol center field Wednesday.
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Padres' Jackson Merrill: Swipes another bag
Rotowire
Merrill went 1-for-4 with a run and a stolen base in Tuesday's loss to the Rockies.
Merrill struck out in his first two at-bats before reaching on a fielder's choice in the seventh inning and coming around to score soon thereafter. He added a single and stolen base in the eighth but was left stranded. Merrill has notched three thefts over his past three games and ranks second on San Diego with seven steals on the season.
Merrill went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Monday's loss to Colorado.
Merrill was the only Padre with multiple hits in the contest, and his seventh-inning solo shot brought the team to within one run, though it turned out to be the final tally of the game. The rookie has notched consecutive multi-hit performances and has multiple hits in four of his past eight contests overall, so he could be back on the rise following an eight-game stretch from late April to early May during which he went 1-for-23 at the plate. Merrill still has a strong .291/.342/.403 slash line along with three homers, 17 RBI, 18 runs and six stolen bases on the season.
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Padres' Jackson Merrill: Impactful game in win
Rotowire
Merrill went 3-for-4 with two steals and a run scored in Sunday's 4-0 win over the Dodgers.
Merrill tallied at least three hits in a game for the fourth time this season and it was his 11th multi-hit game of his rookie campaign. Merrill hadn't swiped a bag since April 16 but managed to steal and eventually score in the fourth before taking another base in the eighth. He's settled in nicely thus far, slashing .282/.331/.374 with two homers, 16 RBI, 17 runs, six steals and a 10:23 BB:K in 143 plate appearances.
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Padres' Jackson Merrill: Heads to bench Saturday
Rotowire
Merrill is not in Saturday's lineup against the Dodgers.
Merrill will head to the bench with lefty James Paxton starting for the Dodgers. Jose Azocar is starting in center field and batting eighth.
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Padres' Jackson Merrill: Not starting Tuesday
Rotowire
Merrill is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Cubs.
After making six straight starts, Merrill will get a breather Tuesday. Instead, Jose Azocar will draw the start in center field.
Merrill went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 11-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.
Merrill took Ryne Nelson deep to right center in the second to open up the scoring for the Padres and later notched a single off the bat at 102.4 mph. He's now tallied a hit in each of his last three games and has five RBI over that span after going on a mini slump to end the month of April. The 21-year-old rookie has put together some solid numbers at the plate early on, slashing .284/.333/.388 with two homers, 16 RBI, 16 runs, four steals and a 9:20 BB:K in 127 plate appearances.
Merrill (groin) is starting in center field and batting eighth Saturday against the Phillies.
Groin tightness has prevented Merrill from playing in the Padres' last two games, but he is seemingly feeling better heading into Saturday's contest. The 21-year-old is 5-for-18 with four RBI across his last five games, though all five of his hits in that span have been singles.
