PHOENIX – The San Diego Padres have announced that All-Star outfielder Jackson Merrill has been placed on the seven-day injured list following a concussion sustained during Saturday night’s match against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Merrill was injured during the seventh inning as he attempted a steal, only to be tagged out by Arizona’s second baseman Ketel Marte. The incident occurred when Marte’s tag struck Merrill’s helmet during his head-first slide. Merrill remained on the ground for several minutes but eventually walked off on his own. Subsequently, he was replaced in the field by Brandon Lockridge.
At 22 years old, Merrill boasts an impressive batting average of .304 with five home runs. Last year, he garnered significant attention by finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting and ninth in the MVP race, with statistics that included 24 home runs, 90 RBIs, and a .292 batting average.
As a result of Merrill’s injury, the Padres have called up Trenton Brooks from Triple-A El Paso to fill the roster spot. Brooks, 29, has been performing well in El Paso, maintaining a .311 batting average with 14 home runs and 54 RBIs. Brooks previously had a stint with the San Francisco Giants, where he achieved a .120 average in 25 at-bats last year.