Jackson Merrill DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.

The San Diego Padres rewarded young outfielder Jackson Merrill with a nine-year, $135 million contract extension on Wednesday morning, and then he proceeded to go 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a run scored and a strikeout in the 5-2 win over the visiting Cleveland Guardians at Petco Park. Merrill's second home run of the 2025 campaign came off right-hander Ben Lively and extended the Padres' lead to 4-0 at the time. The 21-year-old seems to be finding barrels every time he swings the lumber in the early going of just his second MLB season, as he entered Wednesday's contest against Cleveland with eight hits in 20 at-bats with six RBI in six games played. In a strong Padres lineup, Merrill's fantasy arrow is pointing firmly up. He was an All-Star and won a Silver slugger award as a rookie in 2023, when he slashed an impressive .292/.326/.500 with 24 homers, 16 steals and 90 RBI in 593 plate appearances.