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Toronto Maple Leafs‘ defenseman Jake Muzzin will miss the remainder of the 2022-23 regular season and playoffs recovering from a cervical spine injury, the club announced on Wednesday.

That decision was made after Muzzin spent months meeting with specialists and medical professionals about his condition. Toronto will update Muzzin’s status again at training camp in September.

The 34-year-old appeared in just four games this season through mid-October before being sidelined by the spine issue. It was similar to the one Muzzin suffered last year, which limited the veteran to playing in only 47 games prior to his return for the postseason. He has also been through concussion protocols at least twice over the past two years.

When healthy, Muzzin has been a key part of the Leafs’ top-four defensive rotation since the team acquired him via trade with Los Angeles in January 2019. Muzzin won a Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2014 and that championship pedigree — along with his difference-making play at 5-on-5 and on special teams — makes his absence for Toronto’s projected upcoming postseason run a major blow to the backend.

The Leafs previously moved Muzzin to long term injured reserve and can use that available cap space now ahead of the NHL’s March 3 deadline to potentially add some defensive depth. Toronto has cycled through a number of other injuries to its blue line — Rasmus Sandin is currently day-to-day with an ailment — and clarity on Muzzin’s status moving forward gives GM Kyle Dubas a better sense of how to put the Leafs in an optimal position to succeed come the playoffs.

What’s less obvious is if — or how — Muzzin’s history of head, neck and spine injuries impacts his playing future. To date, Muzzin has skated in 683 NHL contests, with 69 goals and 294 points.

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White Sox put Meidroth on IL with bruised thumb

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White Sox put Meidroth on IL with bruised thumb

SEATTLE — The Chicago White Sox placed rookie shortstop Chase Meidroth on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a right thumb contusion ahead of their 4-3, 11-inning loss in their series finale against the Seattle Mariners.

Meidroth, who is hitting .252 with three home runs, 15 RBIs and 11 stolen bases, said he will be shut down from swinging for “a few days.” He hasn’t registered an at-bat since July 30 against the Philadelphia Phillies, when he was hit by a Taijuan Walker sinker in the fifth inning.

Also Thursday, Chicago selected the contract of shortstop Jacob Amaya from Triple-A Charlotte and designated right-handed pitcher Gus Varland for assignment.

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Ticket to reprise: Mets honor Beatles’ Shea 60th

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Ticket to reprise: Mets honor Beatles' Shea 60th

NEW YORK — The Mets will honor the 60th anniversary of the Fab Four’s performance at Shea Stadium, where they will host the Mariners on Aug. 15 for The Beatles Night at Citi Field.

The 1965 performance was a milestone because The Beatles became the first rock band to perform a major stadium concert. A 50-minute documentary titled “The Beatles at Shea Stadium” captured the show. At the time, the multipurpose stadium was home to the Mets and New York Jets.

The celebration will begin with a performance by 1964 the Tribute in front of Shea Bridge at 6:15 p.m. ET. The first 15,000 fans to enter Citi Field will receive an exclusive Shea Stadium replica.

The first pitch will be thrown by members of the game-day staff who worked the famous concert. A themed fireworks show will be held after the game.

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M’s Naylor exits with sore shoulder after swing

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M's Naylor exits with sore shoulder after swing

SEATTLE — Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor left Thursday’s 4-3 victory against the Chicago White Sox in the third inning because of shoulder soreness, manager Dan Wilson said.

In his first at-bat against White Sox starter Shane Smith, Naylor grimaced after swinging at a high, inside fastball. He walked down the first base line and back before finishing his at-bat, which ended with a strikeout.

Naylor stayed in the game, but later exited after grounding out to second base to end the third inning.

Wilson told reporters after the game that Naylor is day-to-day.

Naylor, one of Seattle’s notable trade deadline acquisitions from the Arizona Diamondbacks, is hitting .289, with 14 home runs, 65 RBI and 21 stolen bases this season. Since joining the Mariners, the left-hander is batting .261 with three home runs and 10 stolen bases.

While with the Diamondbacks, the left-handed hitter was pulled from a June 23 game — also against the White Sox — in the fourth inning due to right shoulder discomfort. Naylor avoided a stint on the injured list and returned to the lineup two days later.

Donovan Solano, who hadn’t played in two weeks, took over at first base for Seattle when Naylor exited.

The Mariners, who swept a series for the first time since July 11-13, moved within 1 1/2 games of first-place Houston in the American League West.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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