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Matt Mervis
Matt Mervis
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Matthew Jared Mervis (born April 16, 1998), nicknamed "Mash",[1][2][3] is an American professional baseball first baseman in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins. Mervis played college baseball at Duke University, and signed with the Cubs as an undrafted free agent in 2020. In 2022, he led Minor League Baseball in RBI, and was third with 36 home runs. He played for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Key Information

Early life

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Mervis was born in Washington, D.C., to Jeffrey Mervis and Ellen Van Bergen, and is Jewish.[4][5][6] His paternal grandmother, Bertina "Tina" Mervis, was born and raised in the city of Givatayim in Israel, and moved to the United States when she was a young adult.[7][8] He has one older brother and a younger sister.[4] He was raised in Potomac, Maryland.[4]

Mervis attended Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Maryland, where he played baseball. He earned a spot on the 2014 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All American Team as a High Honorable Mention.[9] As a junior in 2015, he had a .409 batting average with 39 runs batted in (RBI), while as a pitcher he had a 0.10 earned run average (ERA) and threw a 92 mph (148 km/h) fastball.[4] He was named the 2015 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All American Second Team.[9]

In 2016, as a senior, Mervis batted .348 with two home runs while also posting a 1.13 ERA with 121 strikeouts.[10] He was named the 2016 Perfect Game Preseason Atlantic-All Region First Team.[9] He was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 39th round of the 2016 MLB draft, but did not sign.[11] That summer, he played with the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, and had a .411/.469/.643 slash line over 15 games, with his batting average leading the league and his on-base percentage (OBP) and on-base plus slugging (OPS) ranking third and second, respectively.[12][13]

College career

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After high school, Mervis enrolled at Duke University where he majored in political science and played four years of college baseball as a pitcher, first baseman, and third baseman.[14][3][15] In 2017, his freshman year at Duke, he had two doubles over six at bats while pitching to a 2–2 record with a 7.83 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 23 innings pitched.[11] That summer, he briefly played for both the New Bedford BaySox of the New England Collegiate Baseball League and the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[11][16] As a sophomore with Duke in 2018, he collected one hit over four at-bats while going 3–0 with a 4.91 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 25+23 innings.[11] That summer, he played for the Kalamazoo Growlers of the Northwoods League.[17] He slashed .316/.395/.450 over 171 at-bats with 27 runs, 11 doubles, four home runs, 28 RBIs, 22 walks, and four sacrifice flies, ending the season in the top five in each statistic, except OBP, where he ranked seventh.[18]

During his junior season at Duke in 2019, he pitched in seven games in which he was 1–0 with a 2.16 ERA and eight strikeouts over 8+13 innings, while posting a .274/.358/.421 slash line with six home runs and 31 RBIs in 190 at-bats and 48 starts.[11][4] That summer, Mervis played with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League where he slashed .325/.418/.571 with four home runs over 77 at-bats with 24 RBIs and was named a league all-star. His batting average and OBP were third in the league with his OPS ranking tenth and his 24 RBIs ranking eighth.[19] Prior to a shortened senior season at Duke in 2020, he was named the 19th-best senior in the country by Perfect Game and was selected as team captain.[4] He had a .304/.458/.589 slash line with three home runs over 16 games while playing first base, and pitching two scoreless innings in two games, before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

Professional career

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Chicago Cubs

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2020–21

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Mervis went unselected in the five-round 2020 MLB draft, and signed with the Chicago Cubs in June 2020 as an undrafted free agent, as a first baseman.[20][21] Due to the unique rules of the shortened draft, Mervis only received $20,000 upon signing.[22] He made his professional debut in 2021 with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Low-A East, and also played in three games with the Iowa Cubs of the Triple-A East.[23] Over 72 games between both teams, he batted .208 with nine home runs and 44 RBIs.[11][3]

2022

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Mervis opened the 2022 season with the South Bend Cubs of the High-A Midwest League, for whom he slashed .350/.389/.650 in 100 at bats with 35 runs, seven home runs, and 29 RBIs over 27 games.[24] He was promoted to the Tennessee Smokies of the Double-A Southern League in mid-May, for whom Mervis batted .300/.370/.596 (third in the league)—in 203 at bats over 53 games he had 16 doubles, 14 home runs, and 51 RBIs.[25] In mid-July, he was promoted to Iowa, now a member of the Triple-A International League.[26][27] The Cubs named him their Minor League Player of the Month for August 2022, during which he batted .305 with a .390 OBP and a .926 OPS for Iowa.[28] Over 57 games with Iowa to end the season, he led the International League with a .983 OPS in 209 at bats with 41 runs, 15 home runs, and 39 RBIs, with a 10% walk rate and a 15% strikeout rate.[29] and slashed .297/.383/.593 (leading the league)[29][24] With each promotion, he lowered his strikeout rate.[30]

His combined 2022 season totals between South Bend, Tennessee, and Iowa included a .309/.379/.605 slash line with 92 runs, 40 doubles, 36 home runs, and 119 RBIs in 510 at bats.[31] Mervis led all of the minor leagues in 2022 with his 119 RBIs, also led the minors in extra base hits with 78, was tied for second in the minors with 40 doubles, and was third in the minor leagues with 36 home runs.[32][33][34] He was named the Cubs 2022 Minor League Player of the Year, and an MiLB Organization All Star.[35][36]

Mervis was selected to play for the Mesa Solar Sox in the 2022 Arizona Fall League.[37][38][39] There, he was chosen as the Arizona Rising Stars MVP, an Arizona Fall League Fall Star, and was named the 2022 Fall Stars Game MVP.[35][40][41] He batted .291/.344/.655, and led the league in home runs (six), as well as isolated power (ISO; .364) and at bats per home run (9.17).[42]

2023

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He began the 2023 season playing for Triple-A Iowa.[43] Through May 4, Mervis batted .286/.402/.560 in 91 at bats with 27 runs (3rd in the International League), 6 home runs (10th), 27 RBIs (3rd), 18 walks (8th; as against 19 strikeouts), and 2 sacrifice flies (10th).[43][44]

Mervis was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on May 5, 2023, and made his MLB debut that day, batting 7th and playing first base against the Miami Marlins. Mervis hit his first major league home run on May 16 against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. On June 15, the Cubs optioned Mervis back to Triple-A Iowa after he hit .167/.242/.289 with 3 home runs in 90 at bats, while playing first base.[45][46] His peripheral statistics were significantly better, as he had a 50% hard hit rate and a 13.8% barrel rate, double the league average.[47]

In 2023 playing for Triple–A Iowa, Mervis batted .282/.399/.533(6th in the league) in 362 at bats with 22 home runs (8th), 78 RBIs (10th), 67 walks (8th), and 5 sacrifice flies (9th).[48][49] His 15.2% walk percentage was 10th-highest in the International League, and his .932 OPS and .251 isolated power were both 6th.[48]

2024

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In January 2024, MLB Pipeline ranked Mervis # 6 on its Top 10 1B Prospects list.[50] After a strong spring training, he was optioned to Triple–A Iowa to begin the 2024 season.[51] In 2024 with Iowa, Mervis batted .235/.329/.434 in 302 at bats with 15 home runs and 43 RBI (with two stints on the injured list), and with the Cubs he went 3-for-26 with 3 RBI.[52]

Miami Marlins

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On December 29, 2024, Mervis was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Vidal Bruján.[53] He made the Marlins' Opening Day roster on March 27, 2025.[54] With six home runs in his first 13 games of the season, Mervis tied the Marlins' franchise record, and also tied as of April 16 for the fourth-most home runs in the major leagues.[55] Mervis was designated for assignment following the promotions of Heriberto Hernández and Jack Winkler on May 30.[56] In 42 appearances for Miami, he slashed .175/.254/.383 with seven home runs and 14 RBI.

He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on June 2, with whom Mervis batted 250/.309/.625(5th in the International League) with a .924 OPS and 13 home runs in 149 plate appearances.[57] Mervis was released by the Marlins organization on August 4.[58]

Arizona Diamondbacks

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On August 12, 2025, Mervis signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.[59]

International career; Team Israel

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See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Matthew Jared Mervis (born April 16, 1998) is an American professional baseball first baseman who is a . He attended , where he played as an from 2017 to 2020, batting .281 with 9 home runs and 47 RBIs in 78 games, and pitched 8.1 innings with a 2.16 ERA. After going undrafted in the 2020 MLB Draft following his senior season, Mervis signed with the Chicago Cubs as a and began his professional career in the Rookie-level . Mervis experienced a rapid rise through the Cubs' ranks, highlighted by his 2022 season across , Double-A, and Triple-A affiliates, where he slashed .309/.379/.605 with 36 home runs and a league-leading 119 RBIs in 137 games, earning him Player of the Year honors from America. This performance led to his MLB debut with the Cubs on May 5, 2023, during which he hit three home runs in his first five games but struggled overall, batting .159 with three home runs in 36 career games through 2024. Traded to the on December 29, 2024, in exchange for , Mervis appeared in 42 games for the Marlins in 2025, posting a .175 average with seven home runs and 14 RBIs before being on May 30. Following his DFA, Mervis continued in Triple-A with the Marlins' until his release on August 5, 2025, after which he signed a contract with the Diamondbacks on and played 30 games for their Triple-A , batting .248 with 19 home runs and 54 RBIs across 65 games that year. Known for his left-handed power and plate discipline, Mervis stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 225 pounds, having also pitched sporadically early in his career with a reaching 94 mph. He played for in the . As of November 2025, Mervis is a seeking to re-establish himself in the majors.

Early life and high school

Personal background

Matthew Jared Mervis was born on April 16, 1998, in , and raised in the nearby suburb of He grew up in a Jewish family, with both parents, Jeffrey Mervis and Ellen Van Bergen, sharing the heritage; his paternal grandmother, Bertina "Tina" Mervis (known to him as Nana), had immigrated from Giv'atayim, , to the Mervis's early development was influenced by Jewish cultural traditions, including regular visits to the Bender JCC of Greater Washington with his grandmother, where he engaged with the local Jewish community, and family activities like baking together. These experiences fostered a strong sense of heritage, which later informed his participation in Jewish athletic events, though he was the only Jewish student in his graduating class. From a young age, Mervis showed a keen interest in , participating in local youth leagues and activities in Potomac that nurtured his passion for the sport. This early enthusiasm carried into his enrollment at in , where he began formalizing his athletic pursuits.

High school career

Matt Mervis attended in , where he emerged as a prominent , excelling as an —primarily at third and first base—and as a right-handed pitcher. As a junior in 2015, Mervis batted .409 with 39 runs batted in (RBI), helping lead Georgetown Prep to the Interstate Athletic Conference (IAC) championship. On the mound that season, he posted an impressive 0.10 (). During his senior year in 2016, Mervis hit .348 with two home runs, 23 RBI, and a remarkable 31 doubles, while demonstrating his pitching prowess with a 4-1 record, a 1.13 ERA, and 121 strikeouts over the season. He earned second-team All-Met honors twice during his high school career. Following his senior season, Mervis was selected by the in the 39th round (1,174th overall) of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Georgetown Prep, but he opted not to sign and instead committed to .

College career

Duke University playing career

Matt Mervis enrolled at in 2017 as a , contributing both as an —primarily at first and third base—and as a right-handed . During his year in 2017, Mervis focused mainly on pitching, appearing in 21 games with a 2-2 record, a 7.83 , and 21 strikeouts over 23 , while his hitting was limited to 6 at-bats across 4 games, where he batted .333 with two doubles. As a in 2018, he remained a key reliever in 20 appearances, going 3-0 with a 4.91 and 21 strikeouts in 25.2 innings, alongside minimal batting contributions of .250 in 4 at-bats over 4 games. By his junior season in 2019, Mervis transitioned to a primary hitting role, starting frequently at third base and as the while reducing his pitching duties. He batted .274 with 8 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs, and 31 RBI in 190 at-bats across 54 games, ranking fourth on the team in , and pitched in just 7 outings with a 1-0 record, 2.16 , and 8 strikeouts over 8.1 .
YearGames (Batting/Pitching)Batting Avg.ABHRRBIERAIPSO
2017 (Freshman)4 / 21.3336017.8323.021
2018 ()4 / 20.2504004.9125.221
2019 (Junior)54 / 7.2741906312.168.18
2020 (Senior)16 / 2.304563150.002.02
Elected team captain by his teammates prior to the season, Mervis started at first base and in the COVID-19-shortened campaign, leading the Blue Devils with 17 hits, 3 home runs, and 33 while driving in 15 RBI and batting .304 in 16 games; he also appeared twice on the mound, allowing no earned runs over 2 innings. The season's abrupt cancellation in preserved his eligibility but prompted Mervis to forgo further amateur play and sign with the Chicago Cubs as an undrafted in .

Awards and team achievements

During his time at , Matt Mervis earned recognition for his academic excellence, being named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll in both 2017 and 2018 for maintaining strong scholastic performance alongside his athletic commitments. He graduated in 2020 with a degree in and a certificate in markets and management studies, underscoring his dedication to balancing with rigorous coursework. Mervis also served in a leadership capacity as one of two team captains elected for the 2020 season, a role that highlighted his influence on teammates and contribution to program culture during a challenging pandemic-shortened year. Under his tenure, the Duke baseball team achieved significant postseason success, including a historic run in 2018 where they won the Athens Regional by defeating Georgia 8-4 in the decisive Game 7 to advance to the program's first-ever NCAA Super Regional, ultimately falling to Texas Tech while setting school records with 45 overall wins and 18-11 in ACC play (third in the Coastal Division). In 2019, Duke captured the Morgantown Regional with a 4-1 victory over Texas A&M before reaching the Super Regional against Vanderbilt, finishing the season at 35-27 overall and 15-15 in conference play (tied for sixth in the ACC).

Professional career

Minor league beginnings (2020–2021)

Following the cancellation of the 2020 MLB Draft due to the , Matt Mervis signed with the Chicago Cubs as an undrafted on June 26, 2020, receiving a $20,000 . The season was subsequently canceled, limiting Mervis to participation in the Cubs' instructional league program in , where he appeared in intrasquad scrimmages but recorded no . This abbreviated introduction to allowed Mervis, who had served as team captain at , an early opportunity to adapt to the Cubs' developmental environment and pro-level expectations. Mervis began the 2021 season assigned to the Single-A of the Low-A East League, marking his full transition to a professional hitter after serving as a in college. In 69 games with , he batted .204 with eight home runs and 38 RBIs, demonstrating emerging power potential despite a high rate of 28.8 percent. On August 15, Mervis was placed on the seven-day , but he returned later in the month. Late in the season, on September 30, Mervis was promoted to the Triple-A for four games, where he went 2-for-14 with one double. Overall in 2021 across 73 games, Mervis posted a .209 with nine home runs and 44 RBIs, along with a 12.4 percent walk rate that highlighted his plate discipline amid adjustments to professional pitching and coaching. This debut year emphasized his raw power—evident in a .417 —and focus on refining swing mechanics under Cubs hitting instructors, setting the foundation for further development as a full-time .

2022 minor league breakout

Mervis began the 2022 season with the South Bend Cubs, where he hit .350 with 7 home runs in 27 games before earning a promotion to Double-A Tennessee Smokies on May 17. At Tennessee, he adapted quickly to the higher level, batting .300 with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs over 53 games, showcasing his emerging power against more advanced pitching. His strong performance led to another promotion on July 22 to Triple-A , where he continued his hot streak, posting a .297 average with 15 home runs and 39 RBIs in 57 games. Across all levels in 2022, Mervis slashed .309/.379/.605 with 36 home runs, 119 RBIs, 40 doubles, and 310 in 137 games, leading the Cubs' system in home runs and RBIs while ranking among the top performers in for extra-base hits (78, tied for second) and RBIs (first). His breakout campaign earned him the Cubs Player of the Year award, recognizing his rapid ascent through the system and offensive dominance. Additionally, he was selected as a America All-Star (First Team) at first base for his .309 average, 36 home runs, and overall impact. Scouts noted significant improvements in Mervis's defense at first base during , describing him as an average, capable defender with adequate range and a strong arm, a step up from earlier evaluations that highlighted his over . His left-handed power was a standout trait, graded as plus from a hulking frame that allowed him to drive the ball to all fields with improved contact rates after swing adjustments from his initial professional seasons.

2023 MLB debut and season

Matt Mervis made his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs on May 5, 2023, against the at , entering as a in the eighth inning and recording an RBI single for his first career hit. Building on his 2022 breakout that saw him lead all minors with 119 RBIs, the call-up came amid injuries to other Cubs first basemen, positioning Mervis as the primary option at the position during his initial stint. He collected his first major league home run on May 16 against the Astros, a solo shot off that tied the game in the second inning. Throughout the season, Mervis experienced multiple shuttles between the majors and Triple-A , with the Cubs optioning him on June 15 following the return of from the , recalling him on June 27, optioning him again on July 2, recalling him on July 21, optioning him on August 5, and making a final recall on September 1. In 27 major league games, he batted .167 with 3 home runs and 11 RBIs, struggling with a high rate against big-league pitching that emphasized his adjustment challenges from dominance. He spent time on Iowa's 7-day in early July before being activated on July 4. In Triple-A with the , Mervis performed strongly in 100 games, hitting .282 with 22 home runs and 78 RBIs, showcasing the power that had propelled his rapid rise through the organization. His major league exposure highlighted both his potential as a left-handed and the difficulties of transitioning to MLB and breaking balls, though he provided solid defense at first base during his opportunities.

2024 season

Following his 2023 MLB debut, where he batted .167 with 3 home runs in 27 games, Matt Mervis entered the 2024 season competing for a spot on the Chicago Cubs' roster at first base during . Despite showing power potential, he was optioned to Triple-A on March 18, 2024, as the Cubs prioritized other options like Michael Busch and . Mervis began the year with the , focusing on refining his approach against major league pitching. Mervis received his first call-up of the season on April 23, 2024, coinciding with the Cubs designating veteran for assignment to clear a roster spot. In his limited MLB action that year, spanning 9 games primarily as a , Mervis struggled at the plate, posting a .115 with 3 hits, no home runs, and 3 RBIs over 26 at-bats. He was optioned back to on May 4 after batting just .143 in his brief stint, as the Cubs turned to utility players like for infield depth. Mervis did not receive further call-ups, including in September, remaining in the minors for the balance of the season. In Triple-A with , Mervis appeared in 81 games, batting .235 with 15 home runs and 43 RBIs, while drawing 37 walks but striking out 105 times in 302 at-bats. His performance highlighted ongoing challenges, particularly against left-handed pitching, where he posted a sub-60% contact rate, limiting his effectiveness in situations. The Cubs' organizational decisions, including acquiring players like Busch via trade and managing injuries to key infielders, relegated Mervis to a depth role, emphasizing his utility as a power bat in the minors amid broader roster adjustments.

2025 season

Following a limited role within the Chicago Cubs' organizational depth in 2024, Matt Mervis was traded to the Miami Marlins on December 29, 2024, in exchange for infielder Vidal Bruján. Mervis secured a spot on the Marlins' Opening Day roster for the 2025 season and appeared in 42 major league games, where he posted a .175 batting average with 7 home runs and 14 RBIs over 134 plate appearances. His performance was hampered by inconsistent contact, leading to his designation for assignment by the Marlins on May 30, 2025, followed by an outright assignment to Triple-A Jacksonville. In 35 games with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Mervis batted .250 with 13 home runs and 30 RBIs, demonstrating retained power potential despite ongoing challenges. Mervis spent time on the Triple-A due to an oblique strain but returned on July 14, 2025, to resume play in Jacksonville. However, the Marlins released him on August 5, 2025, amid continued organizational adjustments. Shortly thereafter, on August 12, 2025, Mervis signed a minor league contract with the Diamondbacks and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the , where he played 30 games, batting .245 with 6 home runs and 24 RBIs. With the expiration of his deal after the 2025 campaign, Mervis became a in November 2025, seeking new opportunities. His season was marked by a career-high 32.3% rate, reflecting persistent contact issues that limited his major league viability and underscored the diminished trade value stemming from the modest return in his offseason acquisition by .

International career

Team Israel selection

Mervis, raised in a Jewish family in the Washington, D.C., area, qualified for Team Israel through his Jewish heritage, which entitles him to Israeli citizenship under Israel's Law of Return. Under World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) rules governing the World Baseball Classic, players eligible for citizenship in the country they seek to represent—regardless of prior residency—may participate, enabling Mervis to join the Israeli national team despite being a U.S.-born professional baseball player. After his breakout 2022 minor league performance, where he led all minors in RBIs with 119, Mervis received an invitation from Team Israel general manager Peter Kurz and manager Ian Kinsler to join the preliminary roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The outreach occurred as part of a broader recruitment effort targeting Jewish or eligible players with MLB affiliations, with Mervis added to the expanded 50-player pool announced in January 2023; he was ultimately selected for the final 30-man roster in February 2023, listed as the primary first baseman. Team Israel's pre-tournament preparations included training camps in early 2023, culminating in exhibition games against teams to build cohesion and readiness for the Classic. These efforts focused on integrating prospects like Mervis with established players, emphasizing team chemistry ahead of the March tournament start.

World Baseball Classic performance

Matt Mervis represented Team Israel in Pool D of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, held at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida. He appeared in all three pool games, starting at first base in the opener against Nicaragua on March 12. In the tournament, Mervis batted .077 (1-for-13) with one walk, recording his lone hit—a single in his first at-bat during Israel's 3-1 comeback victory over Nicaragua. He faced several prominent Major League pitchers, including New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz, Miami Marlins left-hander Jesús Luzardo, and Houston Astros reliever Héctor Neris, providing valuable experience against high-level competition. Israel went 1-2 in the pool, securing a historic first win in WBC main draw play against Nicaragua before suffering shutout losses to Puerto Rico (10-0 on March 13) and the Dominican Republic (10-0 on March 14), failing to advance to the quarterfinals. Following the tournament, Mervis described the experience as a significant learning opportunity that highlighted areas for improvement ahead of his Major League transition. He expressed pride in representing his Jewish heritage on an international stage, noting the personal and cultural fulfillment it brought, while the exposure alongside established players like elevated his visibility as a top prospect entering the 2023 MLB season.

References

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