HOUSTON -- Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel was held out of the starting lineup for Thursday’s series opener against the Rangers after becoming ill during Wednesday's 9-1 win over the Angels, in which Gurriel hit a two-run home run in the first inning.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Gurriel was feeling better Thursday, but the 36-year-old was being put through the health and safety protocols as a precaution. The illness was not believed to be related to the coronavirus, the manager said. Baker said Gurriel is day to day, and he wasn’t sure about his availability.

“He always thinks that 'I’m fine,' but he wasn’t fine yesterday,” Baker said. “When he came out of the game, he was sick. There are a couple of guys that have been sick, and he was trying to prevent something from circulating through the team. He’s going through the health and safety protocols, but he’s been cleared to work out today and see how he feels.”

Baker said Gurriel is among those players who have been fully vaccinated, but the team wants to make sure he’s fine.

“Everything now -- a cough, a sneeze -- that’s the first thing we think about is the COVID,” he said.

Gurriel has been one of the best offensive players in the American League this year, hitting .333 with seven homers and 30 RBIs, including a .403 batting average at home. He entered Thursday tied for third in the AL in multihit games (13), fourth in hits (44), fifth in on-base percentage (.411) and tied for third in RBIs.

Worth noting

Astros starter José Urquidy, who was removed from Wednesday’s game after 3 2/3 scoreless innings with right posterior shoulder discomfort, underwent an MRI on Thursday. There has been no update on his prognosis.