A general view of a Houston Astros hat at Tropicana Field. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Astros players to receive COVID-19 vaccine before Opening Day

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 3/29/21

Houston Astros players, who choose to do so, will receive the COVID-19 vaccine before Opening Day, manager Dusty Baker said Monday, per The Athletic's Jake Kaplan.

The Astros originally planned to fly straight to Oakland for the season opener against the A's, but will first stop in Houston to get vaccinated before traveling to the Bay Area on Tuesday.

The Astros were originally going to fly directly from Florida to the Bay Area for Opening Day but are now going to stop in Houston first to get players vaccinated through Houston Methodist. Dusty Baker said they'll fly to Oakland on Tuesday night.
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) March 29, 2021

Texas recently announced that everyone age 16 or older is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning on Monday. It's unclear which Astros players will opt to get vaccinated.

Major League Baseball is not requiring players to get vaccinated, but the league and MLBPA are highly encouraging it.

If most players decide to get vaccinated, the league could potentially ease their health and safety restrictions. For now, though, those restrictions will be in place as the vaccine becomes more available across the country.

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