The Houston Astros are hoping to maintain their grasp on the AL West this season, but they suffered a significant blow early on in the season. Star outfielder and designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, who had already missed a couple of games due to a stomach illness, has reportedly been placed on the Injury List, according to Chandler Rome of The Houston Chronicle.

Alvarez was placed on the IL with what's being described as health and safety protocols. It remains unclear if he contracted the virus or was merely dealing with symptoms. Either way, Alvarez is set for a longer stint on the sideline than initially planned.

Alvarez had missed two of the Astros' matches against the Diamondbacks. At the time, skipper Dusty Baker called the illness a “stomach virus.” It remains to be seen exactly how long Alvarez will be sidelined. If he tests positive for COVID-19, Alvarez will be forced to be away from the team for at least 10 days, though there are ways in which that number could be reduced.

With Alvarez heading to the IL, infielder Joe Perez has been called up to the Astros, for his second-ever taste of big-league action. It may be a short stint for Perez, however, as Dusty Baker suggested Alvarez could be back with the team “soon.”

The Astros will surely feel the absence of their slugging DH, who is coming off a 2021 season that saw him slash .277/.346/.531 with 33 home runs and 104 RBI. He's recorded just a .143 average thus far into the 2022 season, though it's far too small of a sample size for any concern.