Jackson Merrill DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (hamstring) is ramping up to baseball activity, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. He was on the field for early batting practice and practiced bunting, but wasn't doing any running yet. There's still no definite timetable for Merrill, who is recovering from a right hamstring strain that he suffered during the first week of April. At the time, he had already racked up three home runs and 10 RBI with a .378 batting average through his first 10 games.

San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (hamstring) is heading to the 10-day injured list due to a hamstring injury, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee. Merrill appears to be walking fine, but his recovery isn't progressing as quickly as the team had hoped, and the Padres have decided to exercise caution with the star outfielder. Brandon Lockridge is making another start in center field for the Friars on Tuesday against the A's, with Jose Iglesias getting the nod in left field against left-handed starter Jeffrey Springs. Fantasy managers will keep their fingers crossed that it's a minimum IL stay for the 21-year-old, who has quickly become one of the best young outfielders in the game after a breakout first season in the big leagues in 2024. Lockridge should now be in line for regular playing time in center field for however long Merrill is sidelined.

San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (hamstring) is sitting out for Monday's series opener in Sacramento against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park due to a balky hamstring, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee. It's a precautionary move and could stretch into Tuesday's game. Fantasy managers will be hoping that this is something that doesn't linger for the 21-year-old star, who is batting .378 (14-for-37) in the early going (10 games) while leading the team with three home runs and 10 RBI. Brandon Lockridge has moved to center field and will bat eighth on Monday, while Jason Heyward is in left and batting seventh against A's right-hander Luis Severino. Both Lockridge and Heyward are DFS options to avoid on Monday. Lockridge has never faced Severino, while Heyward has a solo homer in just four career at-bats against him.