The Houston Astros have placed second baseman Jose Altuve, third baseman Alex Bregman, designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, receiver Martin Maldonado and reserve player Robel Garcia on the injured list “as a result of safety and health protocols “CEO James Click said Wednesday.
Click said it could not say if a player had tested positive for COVID-19 or if it had been exposed to someone who had it. He said the length of each player’s absence will be determined by the contact tests that are being conducted.
He also said the moves were not a function of players violating COVID-19 protocols.
“Absolutely not. The boys have been exceptionally vigilant to make sure the stadium, far from the stadium, meets the rules,” Click told reporters. “I think that’s just another reflection of the situation we’re in, not just in baseball, but in the country.”
The Astros, who are not on the 85% vaccination threshold to loosen team protocols, said they didn’t know they had to make those moves until after Tuesday’s game. The rest of the team’s players will go through more testing and all coaches and staff have been allowed to continue working.
In the corresponding moves, the Astros convened the Taylor Jones football field, receiver Garrett Stubbs, Abraham Toro football field, Alex De Goti football field and Ronnie Dawson football field of the alternative training site of the ‘team.
The 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 a health reason for not playing Wednesday’s game, “so from now on, we’re playing the game.”
The Astros have lost four straight after starting a 6-1 and now have to play without four members of their starting lineup.
“When it rains, it pours,” Click said. “It’s a difficult situation, but we can’t let that take us away from winning this game.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.