Jackson Merrill (ankle) sits fourth straight game, Padres continue to wait on IL decision

The Padres believe they’ve got a handle on what exactly is going on with Jackson Merrill’s left ankle — some bone bruising and a sprained ligament, all of it checking out as structurally sound via imaging. They will give it at least another day before making a decision about the injured list, with the 22-year-old center fielder likely providing input.

“Really, quite frankly, we’re going to give every leniency to see if he can come back,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said.

Toward that end, Merrill has spent the last four days resting the ankle. He rolled it in his last at-bat Friday, went 0-for-4 while trying to play on it Saturday and was removed from Sunday’s lineup after striking out in his first two at-bats.

Whatever frustration there was after Sunday’s game — and there was a lot — has seemingly been replaced by acceptance that he simply cannot will his way back into playing condition.

In fact, Merrill had not yet even begun to work himself back into baseball activity.

“Just taking the days on the downside, trying to get it to reset,” Merrill said after the Padres’ 8-4 win over the Giants. “That’s pretty much it.”

He added: “Spirits are better. More optimistic, for sure. Less frustrated, but still getting there.”

The Padres cannot backdate a trip to the injured list for more than three days, so a move before Friday’s opener against the Dodgers would sideline Merrill until the start of the Minnesota series on Aug. 29.

Merrill, of course, remains hopeful that he can help his teammates this weekend against the Dodgers.

“I’d love to,” he said. “That’s all I got. I’d love to.”

In Merrill’s place, Ramón Laureano started a third straight game in center, although he finished the game in left as Bryce Johnson entered late as a defensive replacement.

The switch-hitting Johnson also had a start in center field this week, against left-hander Robbie Ray on Monday.