Padres officially replace injured Jackson Merrill with slugging Triple-A outfielder

The nightmare for all San Diego Padres fans has come true. Just days after the Friars handed star outfielder Jackson Merrill a nine-year contract extension, he is headed to the injury list with a right hamstring strain.

He came up hobbling at third base a few days ago and was reported to be walking just fine, but the club will side with caution and put him on the 10-day IL for safe measure. Oscar González will be promoted from Triple-A El Paso to replace Merrill.

Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill is headed to the injured list with a hamstring issue

Merrill was off to a hot start at the plate, accruing a 0.6 bWAR in just 10 games. He heads to the injured list with three home runs, 10 RBIs, seven runs scored, and two doubles. His 10 RBIs were tied for ninth in the National League.

San Diego has not been derailed just yet by the injuries sustained from Yu Darvish and Matt Waldron, but adding Merrill into the mix makes things a little more concerning. The Friars need their star players healthy to remain in contention in the NL West with the Dodgers, but hopefully Merrill's hamstring isn't something that will linger into May.

González will look to take advantage of the opportunity presented to him after boasting a .400 batting average this past spring, which saw him amass seven doubles and a triple. In his first seven games in Triple-A this season, González was a .290 hitter with three home runs, one double, one triple, seven RBIs, seven runs, and three walks. That's a solid beginning for the 27-year-old, who did not see any time in the majors in 2024.

He last saw action on the big stage in October of 2023 with the Cleveland Guardians. Going by the way he's hit in 2025 so far, it seems that González is as ready as ever for MLB pitching. Hopefully his production makes Padres fans miss Merrill a little less.