The Royals have traded Whit Merrifield to the Toronto Blue Jays for infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor and pitcher Max Castillo, according to MLB.com reporter Mark Feinsand….

Merrifield has spent his entire seven-year career with the Royals and is a two-time All-Star. He was having his worst offensive season, batting .240/.290/.352 with 15 steals in 95 games, but had come on to rebound a bit lately. He did not travel to Canada for the series against the Blue Jays three weeks ago due to his vaccination status, but indicated he was open to getting vaccinated to play in a pennant race. Merrifield is signed through 2023, and will make $2.5 million with escalators that will take his salary to $6.5 million.

he longest consecutive games-played streak in the Majors came to an end on Monday.

Whit Merrifield, dealing with a bone bruise and ligament swelling in his big toe, will not play on Monday for the first time since June 24, 2018—more than four years ago. His consecutive-games-played streak comes to an end at 553, a franchise record and the longest streak in the Majors since Miguel Tejada played in 1,152 straight games from June 2, 2000-June 21, 2007.

“It’s unfortunate it had to happen this way,” Merrifield said before Monday’s doubleheader against the Tigers. “I’ve been—lucky is a good word for it in some instances, but I’ve put myself in a good position to play every day physically, mentality-wise. I showed up ready to play no matter the circumstance, whether I was going good or bad. It’s been a long run. I’m proud of it.”