Five Astros sent to IL

The Houston Astros have placed second baseman Jose Altuve, third baseman Alex Bregman, designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, catcher Martin Maldonado and infielder Robel Garcia on the injured list because of covid-19 health and safety protocols. General Manager James Click made the announcement on Wednesday, hours before the Astros were to wrap up a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers. Click said he couldn’t say whether a player had tested positive for covid-19 or been exposed to someone who had, and that the length of each player’s absence would be determined by contact testing that is being performed.