HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- For the third time since the pandemic began more than a year ago, Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez is out of the lineup and on the injured list due to the league's health and safety protocols.
Astros manager Dusty Baker announced Wednesday that Alvarez would not be the designated hitter against the Seattle Mariners later in the evening. This was the second time in as many weeks Alvarez miss action for COVID-19 related reasons.
The Astros later announced Alvarez on the injured list and called up rookie infielder Taylor Jones.
Alvarez was part of a group of five players sent to the injured list earlier this month after second baseman Jose Altuve tested positive. Alvarez, Alex Bregman, Martin Maldonado and Robel Garcia were put on the injured list because of contact tracing.
Last year, Alvarez tested positive for COVID-19 just days before the start of summer camp after the pandemic shut sports down.
He returned in mid-August, but was shelved after two games to undergo surgery on both knees.
Michael Brantley replaced Alvarez as the DH against Seattle, while Chas McCormick filled Brantley's spot in left field. Brantley still hit second, with Kyle Tucker bumping up to the four-spot where Alvarez usually hits.
McCormick hit seventh.
Despite Alvarez's absence and lack of production from the top of the order, the Astros completed an eighth-inning rally to beat the Mariners on Wednesday night.
Houston has one six of its last seven games.
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