Padres' Jackson Merrill suffers apparent back injury

Field Level Media|published: Wed 20th May, 22:16 2026

May 18, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (3) comes off the field after making a catch on a ball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (not pictured) during the seventh inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

San Diego Padres centerfielder Jackson Merrill left Wednesday night's game against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers after four innings with an apparent back injury.

Merrill looked to sustain the injury while leaping to catch Shohei Ohtani's first-pitch homer to start the game. Merrill was seen stretching his back on multiple occasions during the next three innings.

San Diego manager Craig Stammen and a trainer visited Merrill before the top of the third before permitting him to stay in the game. Bryce Johnson was going to pinch-hit for him in the fourth before Xander Bogaerts flied out to end the inning.

Johnson replaced Merrill defensively before the top of the fifth. At the time of his departure, Los Angeles owned a 2-0 lead.

Merrill fanned in his only at-bat, dropping his average to .203.

--Field Level Media

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