Padres’ Jackson Merrill Out of Monday's Lineup vs. Athletics

The San Diego Padres will take on the Athletics without Jackson Merrill in the starting lineup, per 97.3 The Fan's Sammy Levitt.

It is unclear as to why the newly-extended superstar is not in the lineup, but the initial announcement from the team has Merrill out to start the contest.

Jackson Merrill not in today’s lineup. https://t.co/asVczwS6vT
— Sammy Levitt (@SammyLev) April 7, 2025

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The 21-year-old center fielder has yet to miss a game this season and is also a major reason why the Padres are off to an 8-2 start on the year. His absence is likely just for a day off against a four-win Athletics team.

Merrill has been the talk of the baseball world recently after signing a nine-year, $135 million contract extension last Wednesday.

This extremely team-friendly deal showed exactly where Merrill's loyalty lies and is a giant indicator of his character. The 21-year-old discussed the moment he knew he wanted to be a part of this community for the long run.

“Literally from the moment that (Padres' general manager A.J. Preller) even talked to me for the first time,” Merrill said. “Before the Draft ever even happened in 2021. The Padres were the first team that ever reached out to me, ever scouted me. They believed in me from Day 1. … So from that first instance, just talking to him, I wanted to be here forever.”

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Merrill even touched on wanting to inspire the top prospects in the Padres' system to try and help facilitate their jump to the majors one day.

“You know, let me show (Leo) De Vries, let me show (Ethan) Salas, let me show Cobb Hightower. Let me show these kids down there how it’s done and how you get up here. You don’t stop working. You keep going. I want to be the guy in the weight room that if you walk in the weight room every morning, I’m there. I want to be there waiting for you.”

Last season featured Merrill bat .292/.326/.500 with an OPS of .826. He also added 24 home runs, 90 RBIs, 16 stolen bases, and was even ninth in National League MVP voting on his way to his first All-Star and Silver Slugger honors.

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