Cruz, Wieters among leaders in AL All-Star voting

DALLAS - Orioles outfielder Nelson Cruz has a swollen left hand and an inflated vote total. Cruz has passed Boston's David Ortiz for first place among designated hitters in the latest round of All-Star balloting. Cruz, who leads the majors with 20 home runs and 52 RBIs, has received 888,855 votes to surpass Ortiz (766,631), a nine-time All-Star. Cruz would become only the fifth different fan-elected starter at the position, joining Edgar Martinez (1997, 2001, 2003), Jose Canseco (1999), Ortiz (2005, 2008, 2011-13) and Vladimir Guerrero (2010). The Orioles will check on Cruz Tuesday to determine whether he's able to play against the Rangers after being hit on the left hand by a Scott Feldman fastball during yesterday's game in Houston. Matt Wieters, on the disabled list with a strained right elbow, has received 842,775 votes to maintain his lead of the Yankees' Brian McCann (605,941). Wieters, who is bidding for his third All-Star selection and first starting assignment, would join Terry Kennedy (1987) as the only catchers in Orioles history to earn a fan election. J.J. Hardy is still third among AL shortstops, Manny Machado is fourth among third basemen and Chris Davis is fourth among first basemen. Adam Jones has moved up from seventh to sixth among outfielders, and Nick Markakis remains in 10th place. The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field in Minnesota on Tuesday, July 15th. Catchers: 1. Matt Wieters Orioles 842,775 2. Brian McCann Yankees 605,941 3. Derek Norris Athletics 569,752 4. Kurt Suzuki Twins 337, 704 5. A.J. Pierzynski Red Sox 300,347 First Basemen: 1. Miguel Cabrera Tigers 962,138 2. Jose Abreu White Sox 602,628 3. Albert Pujols Angels 569,211 4. Chris Davis Orioles 422,600 5. Mark Teixeira Yankees 326,972 Second Basemen: 1. Robinson Cano Mariners 726,158 2. Ian Kinsler Tigers 649,926 3. Dustin Pedroia Red Sox 540,515 4. Brian Dozier Twins 360,089 5. Howie Kendrick Angels 247,353 Shortstops: 1. Derek Jeter Yankees 1,007,968 2. Alexei Ramirez White Sox 867,156 3. J.J. Hardy Orioles 488,948 4. Jose Reyes Blue Jays 310,446 5. Jed Lowrie Ahtletics 277,430 Third Basemen: 1. Josh Donaldson Athletics 956,811 2. Evan Longoria Rays 589,621 3. Adrian Beltre Rangers 497,876 4. Manny Machado Orioles 461,023 5. Brett Lawrie Blue Jays 268,136 Designated Hitter: 1. Nelson Cruz Orioles 888,855 2. David Ortiz Red Sox 766,631 3. Victor Martinez Tigers 625,279 4. Edwin Encarnacion Blue Jays 388,459 5. Alfonso Soriano Yankees 336,112 Outfielders: 1. Mike Trout Angels 1,361,649 2. Jose Bautista Blue Jays 1,351,896 3. Melky Cabrera Blue Jays 743,208 4. Jacoby Ellsbury Yankees 625,206 5. Carlos Beltran Yankees 565,882 6. Adam Jones Orioles 531,882 7. Torii Hunter Tigers 507,424 8. Yoenis Cespedes Atheltics 502,236 9. Michael Brantely Indians 460,384 10. Nick Markakis Orioles 434,228 11. Shin-Soo Choo Rangers 422,047 12. Alex Rios Rangers 337,463 13. Brett Gardner Yankees 336,386 14. Josh Hamilton Angels 304,761 15. Coco Crisp Athletics 299,400