SEATTLE -- Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz each moved up a spot in the 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot voting that was released Tuesday, but the two Mariners standouts both remain well back in the running for starting spots in next month's 87th All-Star Game presented by MasterCard.
Cano moved past Omar Infante of the Royals into second place in the second-base voting, though his 767,882 total is still well behind the 1,230,619 votes for Jose Altuve of the Astros. Cano saw his string of five straight starting All-Star berths snapped last year when he had a poor first half, but this year he's hit 18 home runs and 51 RBIs with a slash line of .295/.349/.574 in 63 games going into Tuesday's play.
Altuve is also having an outstanding start, batting .344/.419/.551 with 10 home runs, 38 RBIs and 18 stolen bases.
Cruz is the only other Mariner among the top five vote-getters at any position, and he moved up one spot to fourth at designated hitter. Cruz was the starting DH in last year's game in his fourth All-Star appearance.
Boston's David Ortiz is currently the runaway leader in the DH group with 2,015,043 votes, ahead of Kendrys Morales of the Royals at 739,284. Detroit's Victor Martinez is third at 482,352, with Cruz now fourth at 472,733.
Ortiz is having an outstanding season in his final year, with 16 homers, 55 RBIs and a .340/.423/.708 line. But Cruz has been heating up, and his line of .293/.377/.530 with 15 homers and 43 RBIs is certainly worthy of consideration.
A case could also be made for better support for Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager, who is not in the top five at his position despite a strong .280/.355/.504 line with 11 homers and 42 RBIs after a slow start.
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 until Thursday, June 30, at 8:59 p.m. PT. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35 times.
Fans may also receive the ballot by texting VOTE to 89269 (USA) or 101010 (Canada). Or text VOTA for a ballot in Spanish. Message and data rates may apply. Up to five messages. No purchase required. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP for info.
Following the 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.
Besides Altuve and Ortiz, other leaders in the second round of balloting are Salvador Perez of the Royals at catcher, Eric Hosmer of the Royals at first base, Xander Bogaerts of the Red Sox at shortstop, Manny Machado of the Orioles at third base and Mike Trout of the Angels, Jackie Bradley Jr. of the Red Sox and Lorenzo Cain of the Royals in the outfield.