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.

Severna Park grad Jackson Merrill set to make history as San Diego Padres’ opening day center fielder Former Falcons shortstop, at age 20, will join exclusive company

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.