KANSAS CITY -- As we near the end of fan voting on the 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot, Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain remains in a tight race for the final outfield spot in the American League.
Cain climbed from fifth to fourth place this week, but his 1,821,746 votes remain behind third-place Mookie Betts (1,915,637) of the Red Sox. Voting for the 2016 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard ends on Thursday at 10:59 p.m. CT.
The 2016 All-Star teams will be unveiled on Tuesday, July 5 during the Esurance All-Star Selection Show on ESPN at 6 p.m. CT.
• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for Cain and other #ASGWorthy players
Royals catcher Salvador Perez continues to lead all vote-getters with 3,754,594. Perez led AL catchers with a .293 average, and was tied for first with 15 doubles and 12 home runs entering Monday's action. He also had 36 RBIs.
Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer leads all first basemen with 2,638,022 votes. Hosmer entered Monday hitting .310 with 12 homers and 46 RBIs.
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Cain, hitting .288 with eight homers, 38 RBIs and six stolen bases entering Monday, was voted into last year's All-Star Game.
"I can only vote 35 times," said Ned Yost, who will manage the AL squad for the second straight year. "I can't make up 100,000 (votes)."
But Yost ultimately has the final vote: He will get to select four or five players as part of the manager's selections.
"He's been a guy who has been underrated," Yost said of Cain. "But he's starting to get his due. He made the All-Star team last year. It was well-deserving.
"There's a lot of really good outfielders having really good years. He's one of them."
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on their computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period.
Fans may also receive the ballot by texting VOTE to 89269 (USA) or 101010 (Canada). Text VOTA for a ballot in Spanish. Message and data rates may apply. No purchase required. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP for info.
Following the July 5 announcement of the 2016 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player on each league's All-Star roster. On Tuesday, July 12, watch the 2016 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2016 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
The 87th All-Star Game, in San Diego, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.