Merrill to concussion IL; slugging Minor Leaguer Brooks called up

PHOENIX -- For the second time this season, Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill is headed to the injured list. This go-round, it’ll be the 7-day concussion IL after a hard tag from D-backs second baseman Ketel Marte on Saturday night knocked Merrill’s helmet into his face, creating a jarring whiplash effect.

Merrill was replaced in center field by Brandon Lockridge, who also drew the start for Sunday’s series finale at Chase Field.

The loss, while always significant concerning a player of Merrill’s stature, is particularly untimely as the Padres endured a 3-7 stretch entering Sunday in which they scored two runs or fewer on five occasions.

“I think the best thing is he's able to keep some food down and he had some appetite, so that was encouraging,” manager Mike Shildt said following the team’s 8-2 win over the D-backs. “But other than that, I mean, he wasn't himself still, so it's going to be a couple of days and hopefully he's going to go with us to L.A, get back to San Diego, rest and hopefully recover as quick as he can.”

When healthy, Merrill has continued to build on the success he saw as a rookie in 2024. Many of his weighted statistics -- OPS+ (128 this year vs. 127 last), rOBA (356 vs. 357) and Rbat+ (128 vs. 126) -- are nearly identical to last year. He’s one of just six National League hitters with 170 at-bats or more this season to be hitting at least .300 entering Sunday.

But after playing 156 games last year en route to an All-Star appearance, the 22-year-old has been limited to just 44 contests while a right hamstring strain capsized the early portion of his season.

As a corresponding move, the Padres selected the contract of Trenton Brooks from Triple-A El Paso and added him to the 40-man roster. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter has primarily started at first base this season, but has also made eight starts in left field. A nine-year Minor League vet, he has seen extensive run at both outfield corners during his pro career.

This isn’t the first time Brooks has gotten a call to The Show; that came last May with the Giants. But for the El Cajon, Calif., product, this one comes with the caveat of coinciding with Father’s Day, layered with even more meaning as his two kids hopped on a flight to be in attendance as he donned “San Diego” across his chest for the first time during regular-season action.

El Paso manager Pete Zamora was the one to give Brooks the word he was headed back to the big leagues. His first call was to his wife, but there was a problem -- she was asleep, like sleep-through-a-phone-call asleep. So, technically, Brooks’ first joyous call went to his neighbor, whom he asked to go over and wake up his wife.

From there, it was a flight from Nashville to Phoenix, not exactly a hop, skip and a jump. But in the end, the Brooks clan was on hand to celebrate Father’s Day at the ballpark.

“Definitely nerves, feeling very grateful too,” Brooks said. “It's a blessing -- I'm speechless. It's fun.”

So why now for Brooks? He was demolishing Triple-A pitching to the tune of a 1.281 OPS in 51 June plate appearances. He delivered back-to-back two-homer performances on June 7 and 8, having racked up 17 RBIs in 11 games.

In short, the type of production San Diego is seeking as it looks to cover for Merrill for at least the next week.