San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (illness) is back in center field and is batting in the cleanup spot for Monday's series opener against the visiting Los Angeles Angels and left-hander Yusei Kikuchi at Petco Park.

The Padres entered Tuesday with the second-best record in baseball, winners of six straight. And now they’re getting healthy. Star center fielder Jackson Merrill joined the team in New York on Monday,

San Diego All-Star center fielder Jackson Merrill is on track to return to the Padres' lineup on Tuesday, according to manager Mike Shildt. The 2024 Rookie of the Year runner-up is in New York as the Padres open a three-game series against the Yankees on Monday.