Altuve feels good after positive COVID-19 test

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve said Saturday that he tested positive for COVID-19 but he never felt bad and hopes to return to the lineup soon.

“I felt really good all the way through, and I feel really good right now,” he said. “And I’m happy to be back here.”

The 2017 AL MVP was among five Astros who were placed on the COVID-19 list on April 14. The four other players returned to the roster within a few days, but Altuve remained on the list until Friday.

Altuve still hasn’t been added to the active roster, and it’s unclear how much time he’ll need before that happens.

Altuve said Saturday that he received the first dose of one of the two-dose COVID-19 vaccines before testing positive, and that he has no idea how he contracted the virus.

Golf: Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel birdied six of their final eight holes Saturday to shoot a 9-under 63 and take a one-shot lead at 19-under 197 into the final round of the Zurich Classic.

NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 24 points and moved into second place on the Bucks’ career scoring list in a 132-94 romp over the 76ers on Saturday. ... The last time the Knicks had a winning streak this long was also their last playoff appearance. They might be surging toward anot her one. Julius Randle had 31 points and 10 rebounds, RJ Barrett added 25 points and 12 boards, and the Knicks beat the Raptors 120-103 on Saturday for their ninth straight victory.

NHL: Ryan O’Reilly had a hat trick to lead the Blues to a 5-3 win over the Avalanche on Saturday. Mike Hoffman and Ivan Barbashev also scored for the Blues and Jordan Binnington made 28 saves as the Blues snapped a three-game skid. The Blues had lost five straight matchups against the Avalanche since winning at Colorado on Jan. 13 in the season opener for both teams.