The San Diego Padres have released their starting lineup for the series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday and an important name is missing yet again.
Star outfielder Jackson Merrill remains out of the Padres' starting lineup, but there is no word on a potential injured list stint, according to San Diego Union-Tribune's Jeff Sanders.
Merrill has missed each of San Diego's last four games after leaving Sunday's series finale with the Dodgers. Merrill injured his ankle in Friday's series opener, and then tried to play through it on Sunday before leaving the game.
Merrill's Ankle Injury Continues to Linger
Padres' manager Mike Shildt told reporters that imaging has not shown anything serious in Merrill's ankle, but that he has a bruise and it will just take time to heal, according to CBS Sports.
Shildt labeled Merrill as questionable for this weekend's series against the Dodgers, and now it's confirmed Merrill will miss the first game of the series.
If Merrill would land on the injured list, MLB rules allow teams to backdate the IL stint up to three days if the player has not appeared in a game. But, at this point, there's been no indication whether San Diego will place the outfielder on the IL or not.
The Padres did win three out of four games against the San Francisco Giants this week during Merrill's absence, but the there's no doubt they're anxious for the return of their star outfielder for the homestretch of the season.