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Florida co-defensive coordinator Patrick Toney is leaving for the Arizona Cardinals after just one season and being replaced by recently hired Alabama assistant Austin Armstrong, sources told ESPN.

Toney, who called the Gators’ defensive plays last season, accepted a defensive secondary coaching position with the Cardinals. Toney, 32, came to Florida with Billy Napier from Louisiana, where they worked together for four seasons. Toney also coached safeties at both Florida and Louisiana and coached outside linebackers for one season at Louisiana.

Toney isn’t the only assistant leaving Florida. Sources told ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg that tight ends coach William Peagler is also joining the Cardinals’ staff in a defensive role.

Napier is turning to a familiar face to replace Toney. Armstrong worked under Napier two different times at Louisiana. Armstrong was the Ragin’ Cajuns’ inside linebackers coach in 2020 when they finished 10-1. He served as a defensive graduate assistant under Napier in 2018. Armstrong also worked on Kirby Smart’s 2019 Georgia staff as a defensive quality control coach and worked closely with current Oregon coach Dan Lanning.

Armstrong, 29, joined Alabama’s staff last month as inside linebackers coach and wasn’t officially announced as a member of the Crimson Tide staff until Feb. 13. He was previously the defensive coordinator at Southern Miss for two seasons in 2021-22 and was the youngest FBS defensive coordinator at the time. Southern Miss tied for fourth nationally last season with 44 sacks.

The Gators finished 6-7 in Napier’s first season. They ranked 11th in the SEC in scoring defense (28.8 points per game) and 12th in total defense (411 yards per game). Florida allowed 30 or more points in six of its seven losses.

Southern Miss’ first defense under Armstrong in 2021 was one of the most improved units in college football. The Eagles finished second nationally in first downs allowed (197) and sixth in red-zone defense (70.2%).

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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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