Padres place Jackson Merrill on 7-day concussion IL

PHOENIX — The Padres will be without their All-Star center fielder for at least the next week.

Jackson Merrill was evaluated Sunday morning, and the decision was made to place him on the seven-day concussion injured list. He will be eligible to return next Sunday against the Royals.

Brandon Lockridge replaced him in the lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Diamondbacks.

Padres at Diamondbacks
Facing RHP Merrill Kelly

Tatis RF
Arraez 1B
Machado DH
Sheets LF
Bogaerts SS
Cronenworth 2B
Iglesias 3B
Lockridge CF
Diaz C

SP: Pivetta

— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) June 15, 2025

Trenton Brooks, a left-handed hitting first baseman who has also played some outfield in the minor leagues, was called up from Triple-A. Brooks has a 1.001 OPS with Triple-A El Paso this season. The Granite Hills High alumnus played in 12 games for the Giants in 2024.

Merrill was hurt Saturday night when a hard tag by Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte hit the front of Merrill’s helmet just above the bill.

Merrill immediately lowered his head and he slid over the bag and remained face down for a minute before rolling over as Marte and Arizona shortstop Geraldo Perdomo stood over him.

Marte had immediately motioned to the Padres dugout for assistance.

“It’s the en vogue thing,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said after Saturday’s game of the swiping tag. “We’re throwing up the line and we’re tagging towards the runner now. And typically, the thought process is to get the middle of the body to the back of the body. And just had a collision. Completely clean play by Marte. It just happened to where the ball landed right and a tag right in his forehead.”

Merrill did not lose consciousness but was clearly dazed when, after several minutes on his back and then sitting up near second base, he walked off the field accompanied by three athletic trainers.

The decision for him to sit Sunday was made before Merrill arrived at Chase Field late Sunday morning. He was still experiencing concussion symptoms, and the decision was made for him to go on the IL.

Merrill, who is batting .304 with an .824 OPS, missed 24 games earlier this season with a strained hamstring.

Here is a look at Sunday’s pitching matchup:

Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (6-2, 3.48 ERA)

Pivetta has allowed nine earned runs over his last 10 starts (10 IP), both losses for the Padres. One of those starts was on the road, where he has a 4.94 ERA this year compared to 2.40 at Petco Park. Pivetta has a 4.63 ERA in 11⅔ innings in three games (two starts) against the Diamondbacks, but he has not faced them since 2023 (3 IP, 0 ER).

Here is how Pivetta has fared against current D-backs:

D-backs RHP Merrill Kelly (6-2, 3.18 ERA)

He’s started June with two quality starts, striking out 15 against three walks over 13 scoreless innings. Kelly has a 2.59 ERA in seven starts at home this year and is 9-4 with a 3.36 ERA in 16 career starts against the Padres, although he lost last year’s start (5⅔ IP, 5 ER).

Here is how Kelly has fared against current Padres: