Merrill rolled his left ankle on Friday at Dodger Stadium, played Saturday and was pulled from Sunday’s game after two strikeouts. X-rays were negative, but Merrill has not started since, was not in the clubhouse during media availability before Thursday’s game and was not seen on the field for pre-game activity.

The Padres entered their weekend series at Dodger Stadium in unfamiliar territory at this juncture of a season -- in first place. They had overturned a nine-game deficit and rode a five-game winning streak into Los Angeles.

MLB fans will be treated to another intense action from the NL West field, as the Dodgers arrive at Petco Park to play a three-game series against the San Diego Padres. Both teams are coming off mixed results in their last four-game series.

LOS ANGELES — Jackson Merrill walked gingerly through the clubhouse Sunday afternoon, clearly favoring the left ankle that he rolled on Friday night. He wrapped it and played on it Saturday and got through two at-bats Sunday — both strikeouts — before the coaching staff pulled the plug on their 22-year-old center fielder.