Padres skipper drops Jackson Merrill update after heartbreaking Diamondbacks loss

San Diego Padres skipper Mike Shildt talked about Jackson Merrill's injury in the disappointing 8-7 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, giving up five runs in the ninth innings. The Dbacks held their nerves for a walk off win at home as they handed their division rivals a fourth loss in five games.

Apart from the loss, San Diego will be more concerned about outfielder Jackson Merrill, who was involved in a freak incident during the seventh innings and had to leave the game. With Xander Bogaerts on the plate, Merrill tried to steal second base, but Dbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno caught him stealing off a tag by second baseman Ketel Marte.

While making the play, Marte's tag attempt caught the 22-year-old Merrill's on the head, with his helmet getting shaken up. Marte and others checked on Merrill, who seemed jolted. The Padres trainers were signalled to tend to Merrill. After a check, the right fielder was helped off the field, with Brandon Lockridge taking his place.

Mike Shildt gave an update about Merrill's condition, describing him as "woozy". Shildt didn't comment on whether the team would go ahead with concussion protocol on Merrill, as they would like to first monitor the situation.

Merrill is one of the most important at-bats in the Padres lineup. In 2024, he finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year rankings, behind the Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes.

After an injury layoff to start this year, Merrill has rebounded with a .304/.349/.474 statline, which includes 26 RBIs and five home runs with .823 OPS.

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Mike Shildt makes feelings known about Padres' loss to Dbacks

Mike Shildt also reflected on the loss to the Diamondbacks on Saturday. With the Padres in cruise control in the middle of the ninth, closer Robert Suarez came to the mound.

He loaded the bases with three singles to the bottom order of the Arizona lineup. After a out gave up a three-run triple against Geraldo Pedromo that tied the game, Josh Naylor walked it off for the Dabcks win.

Shildt, though, has faith in Suaerz and brushed off the loss as an off day for the closer.

“We did our part to bring it home. We trust [Suarez]. We trust him tomorrow. It just didn't happen tonight. [Suarez is] a big part of the reason we have success,” Shildt said. “It wasn't his day, but we love him and we're glad he's on our side.”

He will be happy with the lineup firing again after a few rough games. It remains to be seen how the Padres bounce back on Sunday.