Braun contending for All-Star start in ballot update

MILWAUKEE -- Ryan Braun was back in contention for an All-Star Game start when Major League Baseball released the first round of fan balloting figures for the National League on Wednesday.

Braun, who made five straight All-Star teams from 2008-12, before missing the cut during his injury- and suspension-marred 2013 season, is running third among NL outfielders with 446,780 votes from in-stadium and online ballots, trailing Charlie Blackmon of the Rockies (549,394 votes) and Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates (467,378 votes). Another Brewers outfielder, Carlos Gomez, was sixth with 370,630 votes.

The top three vote-getters among outfielders will be elected starters to the 2014 All-Star Game, to be played at Target Field in Minneapolis on Tuesday, July 15.

Other Brewers contenders included Aramis Ramirez, who is running second among NL third basemen with 282,843 votes despite a current stint on the disabled list. Ramirez trails the Rockies' Nolan Arenado, also on the DL, who has 318,111 votes.

Jonathan Lucroy ranked fourth among catchers and Jean Segura was running fifth among shortstops. The leader at shortstop was the Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki, who led all NL players with 745,823 votes.

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or on a mobile device -- using the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian until Thursday, July 3, at 10:59 p.m. CT.

Fans may submit up to 25 online ballots, but they can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, you must be logged into your MLB.com account when you submit any online ballot. If you do not have an MLB.com account, register on the site in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.

The 2014 All-Star teams will be unveiled on the 2014 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show during the weekend of July 5-6, with further details to follow on MLB.com. The AL will have nine elected starters via the fan balloting program, while the NL will have eight fan-elected starters. Pitchers and reserves for both squads -- totaling 25 for the NL and 24 for the AL -- will be determined through a combination of "Player Ballot" choices and selections made by All-Star managers Mike Matheny (NL) and John Farrell (AL).

Immediately following the announcement of the rosters, you can select the final player for each league's 34-man roster via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian. Choose again at that point from among five players in each league. The Final Vote returns for its 13th season with more than 430 million votes cast to date, and you'll be able to make selections on MLB.com, club sites and your mobile device.

You'll be on a voting tear at that point, having already selected starters and the last men, and the ritual will not end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the big game, vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi. The fan voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.

The 85th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.