The San Diego Padres, despite a promising start, now sit with a 41-35 record and have lost seven of their last ten games. This decline has put them five games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, and they are just a half-game out of a Wild Card spot. Offensively, the team struggles are evident with a .695 OPS in June, ranking 22nd in MLB. Compounding these issues, star outfielder Jackson Merrill is currently on the concussion protocol after a tough tag from Ketel Marte in a recent loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

However, hope shines on the horizon as Merrill is set to return against the Colorado Rockies after being reinstated from the 7-day injured list, sparking excitement among fans. Drafted in 2021, Merrill has quickly become a key player, batting .304 with five home runs and 26 RBIs this season. His return could provide the much-needed offensive boost for a struggling lineup.