San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill left the final game of Sunday’s series against the Los Angeles Dodgers early after suffering a left ankle injury. Serving as the cleanup hitter, Merrill went 0-for-2 before being replaced by Gavin Sheets. This injury has raised questions about his availability moving forward, as it developed during the series.

Initial Injury Occurred Days Earlier, According to Manager

Padres manager Mike Shildt revealed that Merrill first rolled his ankle two days before Sunday’s game when he awkwardly stepped out of the batter’s box. Despite receiving treatment prior to the game, Merrill’s condition worsened over the weekend, ultimately limiting his time on the field to fewer than five innings in a close 5-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Merrill Expresses Frustration Over the Setback

The 22-year-old rookie has openly shared his disappointment about the injury.

“Jackson Merrill said the ankle he rolled Friday felt progressively worse this weekend. ‘It’s f—ing frustrating,’ Merrill said. ‘Hopefully, I play tomorrow if I wake up and it feels brand new, but I can’t really say anything right now.’”

— Dennis Lin, Reporter

Merrill elaborated on his feelings, emphasizing how unpredictable such injuries can be despite proper preparation. “It’s frustrating,” he told reporters Sunday.

“You play all year last year, missed only a couple games last year and get to this year. It’s just fluke things, too. It’s not stuff I can control. I work in the weight room. I do all my stretching and it’s just fluke stuff that happens. And you can get a single out of the box and the ground’s hard, you stick to it. I can’t really say that’s my fault. I wish I could, but just fluke stuff. It’s way more frustrating than it actually being my fault.”

Merrill’s Determination Despite Injury Pain

Despite the discomfort, Merrill has a strong desire to keep playing.

“For me, I want to play,”

he said.

“I don’t really give a (expletive) if I’m hurting or not. It’s not really anything to do with it hurting. It’s going to hurt. I rolled the hell out of it. It sucks. But it just got more painful in the game. My swings really weren’t the same. … The guy I saw (Sunday) was tough. They made the call. I trust them. But just (expletive) frustrated.”

Padres manager Mike Shildt described the injury’s status as day-to-day, offering some hope that Merrill’s absence might be short-lived. “I mean, it’s sore,” Shildt said.

“But we don’t think it’s something that, at the moment, is going to linger beyond a day-to-day type thing.”

Impact of Injuries on Merrill’s Sophomore Season

Jackson Merrill‘s second year in the major leagues has seen notable highs and lows. After signing a nine-year, $135 million contract extension with the Padres in early April, he has posted a .261 batting average with a .317 on-base percentage and .413 slugging percentage, along with nine home runs and 51 RBIs over 91 games.

While Merrill’s defensive play in center field has contributed significantly to his 2 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference, injuries have hampered his overall impact. He missed nearly a month earlier this season due to a hamstring injury and has been far less aggressive on the basepaths, stealing only one base this year compared to 16 last season.

This latest ankle injury threatens to further limit his speed and mobility, which are crucial components of his game.

What This Means for the Padres Moving Forward

The Padres face uncertainty with Merrill’s availability as his ankle injury worsens despite efforts to manage it. While the day-to-day diagnosis is somewhat reassuring, the frustration expressed by Merrill underscores the challenge the team faces in balancing his recovery with on-field contributions. With a pivotal stretch in the season approaching, how long Merrill remains sidelined could have a significant impact on San Diego’s lineup and defensive stability.