Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in EnglishThe San Diego Padres placed center fielder Jackson Merrill on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right hamstring strain, one day after holding him out of the lineup as a precaution. The move was backdated to Monday.Merrill, 21, has ranked among the sport’s top hitters in this young season. He batted .378 with two doubles, four home runs and 10 RBIs in his first 10 games, pacing a Padres team that entered Tuesday tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the most wins in the major leagues (nine).The Padres (9-2 and narrowly leading the NL West) have also received strong contributions from Fernando Tatis Jr. (.381/.449/.548) and Manny Machado (.333/.378/.452). But the loss of Merrill, who last week signed a nine-year extension that guarantees him $135 million, will be tough to assimilate. Merrill will be eligible to return to the team on April 18, in time for a road series against the Houston Astros.The Padres called up Oscar Gonzalez from Triple A to fill Merrill’s spot on the roster. For Tuesday’s road game against the Athletics, they put Brandon Lockridge at center and slotted infielder Jose Iglesias into left field.This story will be updated.(Photo: Gregory Bull / Associated Press)
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