MINNEAPOLIS -- Third baseman Miguel Sano is aiming for his first career All-Star Game appearance, while James Dozier is looking for his second, as the Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot was officially released on Monday.
There are no surprises among Minnesota's eligible candidates for the Midsummer Classic in Miami on July 11, as Robbie Grossman is listed as the club's designated hitter and is joined by catcher Jason Castro, first baseman Joe Mauer, shortstop Jorge Polanco and outfielders Max Kepler, Byron Buxton and Eddie Rosario.
• VOTE: Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot
Fans may cast votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, June 29, at 11:59 p.m. ET. On smartphones and tablets, fans can also access the ballot via the MLB.com At Bat and MLB.com Ballpark mobile apps. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35 ballots cast.
Following the announcement of the 2017 All-Star starters, reserves and pitchers, fans should return to MLB.com and cast their 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player on each league's All-Star roster. Then on Tuesday, July 11, while watching the 2017 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard live on FOX, fans may visit MLB.com to submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
The 88th Midsummer Classic, at Marlins Park in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM will have comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @AllStarGame on social media.
The Twins sent infielder Eduardo Nunez to the All-Star Game last year, but he wasn't even on the ballot and was traded to the Giants for lefty Adalberto Mejia before the Trade Deadline. Dozier was an All-Star in 2015, but was snubbed last year as part of his 42-homer season. Mauer is a six-time All-Star, while Castro was an All-Star with Houston in '13.