SAN DIEGO -- Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill returned to the lineup Saturday after missing one game due to back soreness.
Merrill sustained the injury on Wednesday while colliding with the wall as he attempted to rob Shohei Ohtani’s leadoff home run. He underwent tests on Thursday, including an MRI and CT scan, which came back negative. He was later ruled day to day.
Merrill missed Friday’s game, but was back in the lineup against the A’s on Saturday night, batting sixth. It’s been a rough season for Merrill, who entered play Saturday hitting just .203 with a .595 OPS.
“Probably not up to his expectations, nor ours,” manager Craig Stammen said Friday 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.”
Bryce Johnson, the only other center fielder on the Padres’ roster, had filled in in center field in Merrill’s absence. With Merrill back in the lineup, Johnson returned to his role as a pinch-runner/defensive sub available off the bench.