Padres star CF Jackson Merrill (hamstring) returns from injury
Merrill missed the previous 24 games since injuring his right hamstring, He last played on April 6.
The injury occurred less than a week after Merrill agreed to a nine-year, $135 million contract extension through the 2034 season.
The 2024 All-Star was batting fourth and playing center field in Tuesday's game against New York.
"I'm excited for that adrenaline rush," Merrill told reporters before Tuesday's game. "Haven't had it in a while."
Merrill started strong, hitting .378 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in 10 games before the injury.
The toughest thing for Merrill was watching his teammates play games. He wanted to be playing.
"For me, I didn't want to wait at all," Merrill said. "I would've played hurt all year if I could've. That was more their decision internally. But I appreciate the care they had for me."
Merrill went 2-for-6 in two rehab games for Triple-A El Paso over the weekend.
Padres manager Mike Shildt said Merrill was ready to go.
"Just a very professional rehab," Shildt said. "He dominated every day what he was able to do. ... Great to have him back."
Merrill, 22, hit .292 with 24 home runs, 90 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 156 games in his rookie campaign. He was runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year honors behind Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes.
Merrill's clutch exploits have become known as "Merrill Madness" in San Diego.
San Diego expects to have second baseman Jake Cronenworth back later this week. He started a rehab stint at El Paso on Tuesday night.
Cronenworth is batting .257 with two homers and five RBIs in nine games this season.
San Diego also optioned catcher Luis Campusano to El Paso to clear a roster spot for Merrill. Campusano is hitless in six at-bats for the Padres this season.
Field Level Media
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Women in sports is uncomfortable': Livvy Dunne reveals dating advice she follows from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce for her relationship
Livvy Dunne is a former college gymnast and now a big social-media star. On August 18, 2025, she told Page Six that she watches how Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce handle their love to guide her own relationship with professional baseball pitcher Paul Skenes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now She admires how Taylor stays strong, busy, and smart even when people are watching. That helps Livvy Dunne when Paul Skenes is traveling a lot for baseball and when people talk about their lives in public. Livvy Dunne finds inspiration in Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's relationship Livvy Dunne says she sees a lot of herself in Taylor Swift. Both women are famous and both date professional athletes. Taylor Swift is with NFL star Travis Kelce, and Livvy is with MLB pitcher Paul Skenes. Livvy Dunne said she learns from Taylor how to face criticism and keep her independence while being in the spotlight. She admires Taylor's hard work, her smart business moves, and the way meaning follows everything she does. She also said Taylor seems to get more negative talk than she does because Taylor is so big. ''[Taylor] has her boyfriend that's a professional athlete and my boyfriend is a professional athlete as well,' Dunne said to Page Six. 'And she has her own success and I have my own success, so I try to look at her perspective on things and how she handles criticism, how she navigates… being with a professional athlete in itself is difficult because they're always traveling.' She further added, 'I think that she takes the heat a lot worse than I do, because, I mean, the bigger you are, the more people you have trying to tear you down. It just really resonated with me. It's a unique position to be in. And I think for some people, women in sports is uncomfortable for some reason.' Also Read: Livvy Dunne balances life with Paul Skenes while growing her career Livvy Dunne is doing more than just learning from Taylor. She recently retired from gymnastics in April 2025 and is now working with brand ads. One ad shows her sitting in a bubble bath right in the middle of the Rose Bowl football field in Pasadena, California. She said that was one of the coolest things she's done. She's also thinking about acting and is taking acting classes. She's moving to New York City soon, after having some housing roadblocks. Plus, she remains very popular; she was on the cover of the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue and has been to the MLB All-Star Game again with Paul Skenes. She even joked that if she won big in one of her Fanatics Sportsbook ads, she'd use the money to get five more Golden Retrievers, joining her current pup, Roux, who is already famous.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Not about you and your money': Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf roast Steelers star Cameron Heyward over contract drama
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Steelers fans tuned into Cameron Heyward's podcast expecting some inside scoop on the season, but instead, they got comedy gold. Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf joined the show and immediately lit up Heyward over his very public push for a new contract. What started as playful banter ended up sounding like a roast session, and fans on social media can't stop replaying the clip. Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf team up to roast Heyward on his own podcast The viral moment came when Heyward brought up his extension talks, and DK Metcalf jumped in first: 'Everything not about you, bro.' Just when it seemed like Heyward might clap back, Aaron Rodgers doubled down with, 'Not about you and your money, got damn.' The timing had everyone cracking up, but it also put a giant spotlight on the tension surrounding Heyward's future in Pittsburgh. Steelers star Cameron Heyward at the center of contract tension Cameron Heyward, a 35-year-old defensive anchor, has been holding in at camp while negotiating a possible extension. He's made it clear he wants to finish his career as a Steeler but also wants to be paid accordingly. The Steelers already handed T.J. Watt a massive $123 million deal back in 2021, setting the bar for defensive contracts. Heyward, with six Pro Bowls and three first-team All-Pro honors, believes he deserves his due. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trekking pants for mountain sports and adventure travel Trek Kit India Shop Now Undo The hold-in is his way of pushing the team to make it happen. Aaron Rodgers also gets an on-air apology from Heyward This wasn't the only headline moment from the pod. Heyward also addressed Rodgers directly, apologizing for comments he made earlier this offseason when Rodgers joined the team. It was a bit of a tension-breaker, and Rodgers took it in stride, laughing through the exchange. Aaron Rodgers & DK Metcalf On Being Steelers, How Camp Is Going, And More | Not Just Football Still, the main takeaway? Rodgers and Metcalf weren't about to let Heyward slide without poking fun at his contract standoff. What was meant to be just another podcast turned into the perfect mix of laughs and drama. Rodgers and Metcalf's jabs at Heyward highlight how messy the Steelers' extension talks have become. At the end of the day, jokes aside, Pittsburgh still has a serious decision to make, pay their veteran leader or risk starting the season with one of their biggest stars unhappy. Also read - Tom Brady makes ESPN reporter blush after sweet hair compliment in viral clip Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
San Diego Padres victory over San Francisco Giants overshadowed by brutal takedown of teenager
Jung Hoo Lee #51 of the San Francisco Giants connects for a double during the fifth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres (Image via Getty Images) The San Diego Padres achieved a convincing 5-1 win over the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park, maintaining their playoff aspirations by staying only two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West standings. Unfortunately, what should have been a straightforward celebration of impressive pitching and timely hitting was overshadowed by a surprising incident where a young teenager ran onto the field and was forcefully tackled by security. San Diego Padres fans watch in disbelief as young intruder leaps barrier onto the field As the eighth inning was winding down and the San Diego Padres were comfortably ahead. A young teen, thought to be around 13 to 15 years old, suddenly burst out from the stands and ran onto the outfield grass. Witnesses and video evidence show that the teen leaped over a low barrier in the outfield seats, which is a usual entry point for such escapades at Petco Park because of how close it is to the field. Clad in casual dark clothes, the boy seemed to be trying to pull off a fun stunt, maybe inspired by the lull in action during what some fans referred to as a "boring" blowout game. When the teen dashed across the grass, seemingly targeting the infield or the players, security quickly jumped into action. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like It's so easy and quick [Sell Now] Cars24 - Sell Your Car Sell Now Undo The first clips reveal two guards approaching slowly, looking uncertain as they realized the intruder was just a kid. A young fan is tackled by security after running onto the field during the eighth inning of a game between the San Francisco Giants (Image via Getty Images) A young fan is tackled by security after running onto the field during the eighth inning of a game between the San Francisco Giants (Image via Getty Images) Out of nowhere, a third security guard came charging in from a different side and made a strong tackle, knocking the boy to the ground in what many referred to as a "WWE-style takedown." The impact was intense, with the teen hitting the ground hard before extra guards piled on to keep him restrained Fans demand accountability after claims the teenager was almost paralyzed After the video went viral, social media was stormed with backlash. Many fans pointed out the unnecessary aggressiveness of the security guards. One user on X commented, 'Unnecessary roughness and 15 yards at the end of the play' while another user said, 'The dude who literally almost paralyzed him needs to be fired'. There was also a comment which said, 'That last guy to tackle him sits around all day waiting for someone to run on the field so he can exercise even the smallest amount of power, and he wasn't going to miss his opportunity just because it was a kid who had already stopped running. Pathetic.'. Also Read: Angels Beats Dodgers for Sixth Time: List of all Top Performers, Best Scorers and More While these pointed out the reaction of those security guards. Some users also pointed out that it was the kid's fault and his parent's fault. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
