PEORIA, Ariz. -- If there were any lingering doubts regarding Jackson Merrill's status on the Padres' Opening Day roster, he answered that question with one emphatic swing on Tuesday afternoon. D-backs starter Zac Gallen threw an 0-1 fastball on the outer half of the plate. Merrill, San Diego's No. 2

The 20-year-old former first-round pick is almost certainly bound to become the youngest Opening Day center fielder in Padres history. He’ll join Andruw Jones and Ken Griffey Jr. as the only players in the last 50 years to start Opening Day in center field before turning 21.