Astros Place Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez on Injured List

Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve were among five Astros placed on the IL for "health and safety protocols."

The Astros will be shorthanded on star power for at least the next few days after placing left fielder Yordan Alvarez, third baseman Alex Bregman and second baseman Jose Altuve on the injured list. The three players were added to the list due to "health and safety protocols."

Astros general manager James Click said the move wasn't a result of the players breaking COVID-19 protocols, though. 

"Absolutely not, Click told reporters. "The guys have been exceptionally vigilant of making sure that at the ballpark, away from the ballpark, they're following the rules. I think this is just another reflection of the situation we're in, not just in baseball but in the country."

In total, five Astros players landed on the IL before Wednesday's game against the Tigers. Second baseman Robel Garcia and catcher Martin Maldonado joined Alvarez, Bregman and Altuve on the IL.

For typical injuries, players are either placed on the 10-day or 60-day IL, while players who experience concussion symptoms can be played on the 7-day IL. Baseball also has a COVID-19 IL, for players who either test positive for COVID-19, come into contact with someone who tests positive or have coronavirus symptoms. It is the only IL that does not require players to miss a minimum number of days. Neither MLB nor the teams can disclose whether specific players tested positive or were in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 without a player's consent.

Infielders Abraham Toro, Taylor Jones,  Alex De Goti, catcher Garrett Stubbs and outfielder Ronnie Dawson were recalled by the Astros from their alternate training site.

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