San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill exited the final game of the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday after appearing to suffer a left ankle injury. Merrill was removed from the contest, raising concerns about his status for upcoming games. The injury has not been officially confirmed, but it follows an incident on Friday when Merrill rolled his ankle during an at-bat.

Details Surrounding Merrill’s Injury and In-Game Substitution

During Sunday’s matchup, Merrill was replaced in center field without an immediate explanation from the Padres. Observers noted his earlier ankle roll on Friday as a possible cause, though the direct connection remains unclear. AJ Cassavell reported on social media,

“The Padres just replaced Jackson Merrill in center field. No word as to why. Merrill seemed to roll his ankle during an at-bat on Friday night. Unclear if this is related.”

—AJ Cassavell, Padre Insider

Implications for Padres’ Roster and Next Steps

Merrill’s injury represents a potentially significant setback for the Padres as they navigate a critical stretch of their season against divisional rivals. The extent of his ankle issue and the recovery timeline are still unknown, leaving the team and fans awaiting further updates. Continued monitoring will determine if Merrill requires additional rest or rehabilitation before returning to play.