As the 2025 season continues, here are three things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye on throughout the day today:
1. Merrill to return:
The Padres have been without star center fielder Jackson Merrill for the past month, but as noted by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the 2024 Rookie of the Year runner-up traveled to meet the team in New York yesterday and is expected to be in the lineup today against righty Clarke Schmidt. Merrill was white hot in the season’s first ten games, slashing .378/.415/.676 in 41 plate appearances. The 23-11 Padres have been relying on bench pieces Brandon Lockridge and Tyler Wade in center field during Merrill’s absence. The latter has hit quite well, whereas the former has struggled considerably. A corresponding 26-man roster move will be necessary to bring Merrill back into the fold.
2. Hernandez to undergo MRI:
Dodgers slugger Teoscar Hernandez departed yesterday’s win over the Marlins due to what the club termed “tightness” in his left hamstring. Hernandez will undergo an MRI today to determine the severity of the issue, as noted by The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya. It won’t be known whether Hernandez will require a trip to the injured list until after the results come back, but Ardaya did note that manager Dave Roberts called the injury “a little concerning.” Hernandez enjoyed a banner year with the Dodgers last season and has improved on those numbers in 2025, hitting .305/.323/.586 with nine doubles and nine homers in 32 games. If he does require a trip to the injured list, James Outman and Esteury Ruiz are candidates to join the outfield mix alongside Michael Conforto and Andy Pages.
3. MLBTR chat today:
All of the league’s teams have now played at least 20% of their schedule, but there’s still plenty of baseball left to go and nearly three months remaining until the trade deadline on July 31. Whether you’re looking ahead to the deadline or still trying to sort between the contenders and pretenders, MLBTR’s Steve Adams has you covered in a live chat scheduled for 1pm CT today. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.
