Yordan Alvarez glad to be back after bout with COVID-19

In need of reinvigoration amid their mediocre start, the Astros activated Yordan Alvarez from the injured list on Friday, ending two “difficult” and mysterious months for the reigning American League Rookie of the Year.

In his first public comments since March, Alvarez revealed both he and his wife tested positive for COVID-19. Alvarez said his positive test arrived two days before the Astros began summer camp workouts on July 3. His only symptom was an occasional headache, Alvarez said through a team interpreter.

Alvarez said his wife, Monica, was asymptomatic. The couple has a young daughter whom Alvarez said did not contract the virus. The couple resides in Tampa, Fla., during the offseason.

“Obviously it was a scary situation for me, especially with my daughter, because I’m in constant contact with her every day and I’m playing with her all the time,” Alvarez said. “It’s a scary situation to be that close to your family and have the virus.”

Alvarez said he was unsure how he contracted the virus. He said he “tried to do everything I could” to protect his family. Until Friday, no one with the Astros acknowledged Alvarez’s condition. The team is only at liberty to disclose COVID-19 positive tests if the infected player or employee gives his permission.

“I think one of the (reasons) I stayed quiet and nobody knew about me was also to not worry the other part of my family so much, like my parents who are in Cuba,” Alvarez said in Spanish. “I think I always tried to stay positive like, ‘I’m fine. I have it, but I feel good.’”

Other than those few headaches, Alvarez said he felt fine throughout his experience. Players who test positive for COVID-19 must test negative twice in a 24-hour span and be not have a fever for 72 hours before returning to their team or any activities. Alvarez was cleared to resume baseball activities on July 24.

“It was obviously frustrating to feel good physically and to not be able to return to baseball activities,” Alvarez said. “You get a little stir crazy sitting in the apartment and being in quarantine all the time, more so when you feel physically good. But thank God I can get back to baseball activities and I’m ready to go now.”

On the Astros’ opening day, Alvarez reported to the team’s alternate training site in Corpus Christi to begin a ramp-up. Alvarez said he took “about” 15 at-bats against live pitching, far fewer than manager Dusty Baker previously proclaimed as the organization’s goal.

Yet with the team two games under .500, ravaged by injuries and in dire need of a spark, they summoned Alvarez on Thursday night. When Baker called to deliver the news, Alvarez said his bags were already packed.

“He said he was swinging the bat well down there. Would a couple of weeks made a lot of difference or would two days or four days,” Baker said. “We’ll see. We don’t know until we get into competition. Swinging in intrasquad games is a lot different than swinging against the opposition, but you have to start somewhere.”

Alvarez hit fifth and started at designated hitter on Friday against the Mariners, but the lineup still was not at full capacity. Michael Brantley, who is still nursing a sore quad, sat on the bench. Brantley will be ready to play the outfield on Saturday, according to Baker, and Alvarez will again be the designated hitter.

Alvarez will not play on Sunday, Baker said, to ensure his body can recover from back-to-back outings. According to Baker, Alvarez never played on three consecutive days during his brief time in Corpus Christi.

Still, Alvarez’s mere presence is a boon. He was unanimously voted the American League Rookie of the Year in 2019 after hitting an Astros rookie-record 27 home runs and accruing a 1.067 OPS in 87 games. He lengthens a lineup and adds another lefthanded presence in the middle.

“It usually takes a little while, especially for a larger frame guy, to find his stroke. Who knows? He may be just a natural and come right in hitting,” Baker said. “We’re hoping so. Most guys need some reps. We’ll see. It sure is nice to have him back. When he walked in the clubhouse, everyone was extremely happy.”

Added Alvarez: “The reason I’m here is because I feel good.”

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