Padres place Merrill on IL with hamstring strain

The San Diego Padres placed outfielder Jackson Merrill on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain, the club announced Tuesday.

Merrill, who was held out of Monday's game against the Athletics, is walking fine but not recovering as quickly as hoped, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The Padres locked up the 21-year-old for the long term last week on a nine-year, $135-million contract extension. Escalators and a 10th-year option can bring the total value of the deal to $204 million.

Merrill has been worth every penny at the plate thus far in 2025, slashing .378/.415/.676 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in 10 games.

San Diego recalled outfielder Oscar Gonzalez from Triple-A in a corresponding move. Brandon Lockridge played center field in Merrill's absence Monday night and remains a candidate for playing time.

San Diego entered Tuesday with an MLB-best 9-2 record.