The Houston Astros have placed second baseman Jose Altuve, third baseman Alex Bregman, designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, catcher Martin Maldonado and reserve infielder Robel Garcia on the injured list “as a result of health and safety protocols,” general manager James Click said Wednesday.
Click said he couldn’t say whether a player had tested positive for COVID-19 or had been exposed to someone who had. He said the duration of each player’s absence would be determined by contact tests conducted.
He also said the moves were not the result of the players breaking COVID-19 protocols.
“Absolutely not. The boys have been extremely vigilant to make sure they follow the rules in the baseball field, away from the baseball field,” Click told reporters. “I think this is just another reflection of the situation we are in, not just in baseball, but in rural areas as well.”
The Astros, who failed to hit the 85% vaccination threshold to ease team protocols, said they didn’t realize they needed to make these moves until after Tuesday’s game. All other players on the team will be more heavily tested, and all coaches and staff will be allowed to continue working.
In similar moves, the Astros called infielder Taylor Jones, catcher Garrett Stubbs, infielder Abraham Toro, infielder Alex De Goti and outfielder Ronnie Dawson from the team’s alternate training location.
All five players are expected to arrive in time for Wednesday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park.
Click said MLB didn’t believe there was any health reason not to play Wednesday’s game, “so we’re playing the game from now on.”
The Astros have lost four in a row after a 6-1 start and now have to play without four members from their starting line-up.
“When it rains, it pours,” said Click. “It’s a difficult situation, but we can’t let that distract us from winning this game.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.