Padres Manager Delivers Jackson Merrill, Manny Machado Message After Loss to Athletics
The San Diego Padres manager made it clear that he still believes in two of the club's biggest stars–Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado. Craig Stammen defended both players while urging fans and the media not to overreact to recent struggles after San Diego's difficult stretch continued with a loss to the Athletics.
According to San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Annie Heilbrunn, Stammen said both players have continued putting in significant work behind the scenes and should not be judged based on a single game. He added that the Padres need to evaluate Merrill and Machado over the course of the full season rather than reacting to short-term struggles.
San Diego entered the year with high expectations but has battled injuries and inconsistent offensive production over the past few weeks. Machado, one of the franchise's leaders, has faced increased scrutiny during the Padres' recent slump. The 33-year-old third baseman remains capable of changing a game with one swing, but his production has dipped compared to his usual standards.
Craig Stammen on Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado:
— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) May 24, 2026
"These guys are working their tails off. We can't judge them on one game. We've got to see this thing through a full season -- give these guys a full season to, you know, see where they end up." #Padres
Machado is batting .174 with eight home runs, 25 RBI, and a .608 OPS this season. Despite the struggles, the Padres continue to rely heavily on Machado's leadership and experience. The six-time All-Star remains one of the most respected voices in the clubhouse, and Stammen has repeatedly emphasized the importance of patience as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, Jackson Merrill is still viewed as one of baseball's brightest young talents. He was selected by the Padres in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft and made his MLB debut in 2024. Merrill was also selected to the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.
The 23-year-old outfielder has shown flashes of the talent that made him such an important part of San Diego's future plans, although injuries have slowed his momentum recently.
Merrill recently exited a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers after appearing to injure his back while attempting to rob a home run from Shohei Ohtani. Fortunately for the Padres, tests on Merrill's back reportedly came back negative, and the club described him as day-to-day with soreness and bruising.
Before the injury, Merrill was batting .203 this season while continuing to provide strong defense in center field. While those offensive numbers are below expectations, San Diego remains confident the former first-round pick will settle in as the season progresses.
Despite the rough stretch for both players, Stammen remains confident that Machado and Merrill will eventually return to form. San Diego still features plenty of talent across the roster, including stars like Fernando Tatís Jr. and Xander Bogaerts, and the Padres hope improved health and more consistent offense can help turn things around in the coming weeks.
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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM.