Altuve needs major boost in All-Star voting

HOUSTON -- Astros second baseman Jose Altuve's quest to start the All-Star Game continues, but he'll need some major help in the final two weeks of balloting.

Altuve, who made the National League All-Star team last year, trails Robinson Cano of the Yankees (3,032,183), Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox (2,135,499), Ian Kinsler of the Rangers (1,329,136) and Omar Infante of the Tigers (1,191,119) at second base in the latest round of voting totals released on Saturday. Altuve has garnered 850,577 votes.

Altuve entered Saturday hitting .294 with three homers and 27 RBIs. He ranked tied among Major League second basemen in steals (16) and led all second basemen with 56 double plays turned. He has reached base in 60 of 70 games.

Another Astros starter worthy of All-Star consideration is catcher Jason Castro, who entered Saturday hitting .269 with 10 homers and 25 RBIs. He was tied for ninth in the AL with 20 doubles, which was the best among AL catchers. He was tied for second among AL catchers with 10 homers and third in slugging percentage at .475.

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or via a mobile device -- using the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, July 4, at 10:59 p.m. CT.

Fans may submit 25 online ballots during the voting period but can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, fans must be logged into an MLB.com account when submitting any online ballot. To obtain an MLB.com account, visit www.mlb.com and register in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.

Fans can also once again participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league whom they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2013 Home Run Derby -- part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day -- will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 7 p.m. CT on Monday, July 15.

Though originally scheduled for July 7, the 2013 rosters will now be unveiled Saturday, July 6, at 5:30 p.m. CT on the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Taco Bell. The show will be televised nationally on FOX.

From Saturday, July 6, to Thursday, July 11, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2013 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by freecreditscore.com for the final player for each League's All-Star roster.

And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.

The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, 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 also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.