Henderson and Rutschman among leaders in Phase 2, Burnes back on active roster

SEATTLE – Gunnar Henderson confirmed last night on ESPN that he’s participating in the Home Run Derby on July 15 in Arlington, Texas. Now he’s waiting to learn whether he’s starting at shortstop for the American League.

His chances look pretty good.

Henderson has received 67 percent of the votes in the Phase 2 update to maintain his lead over the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr.

Balloting concludes at noon Wednesday, with starters announced at 7 p.m. on ESPN. Complete rosters will be shared on Sunday.

Adley Rutschman also is lined up to start. He’s received 72 percent of the votes to lead Kansas City’s Salvador Perez, an eight-time All-Star.

Rutschman was a reserve last summer and participated in the Home Run Derby.

First baseman Ryan Mountcastle needs to make up ground. He trails the Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 57 percent to 43 percent.

Third baseman Jordan Westburg also is in second place at the moment with 41 percent of the votes, compared to 59 for the Guardians’ José Ramírez.

In an extremely tight race, the Astros’ Yordan Alvarez has garnered 51 percent of the votes at designated hitter to edge out Ryan O’Hearn.

"It's incredible," O'Hearn said after finding out that he moved past Phase 1. "When you're a kid it's a dream to be a major league All-Star and it seemed unattainable for a long time. Until the last year or so I didn't believe it could actually happen. We're not there yet, but to be a finalist is an honor and something I don't take lightly.

Aaron Judge already secured a starting spot with the most votes in the AL. Anthony Santander, who hit 13 home runs in June, is third in the two-player race at 26 percent to sit behind the Yankees’ Juan Soto (29 percent) and the Guardians’ Steven Kwan (28 percent). Houston’s Kyle Tucker is behind Santander with 16.

“Happy and excited and grateful for Orioles fans who voted for me,” Santander said during the last homestand. “I really appreciated that.”

The Orioles will send more than two representatives to Texas. Corbin Burnes is a lock to be chosen among the pitching staff, and Grayson Rodriguez and Craig Kimbrel should be under consideration. And other finalists among the position group can go as reserves.

“They’re all so well deserving,” manager Brandon Hyde said over the weekend. “I hope they get a ton of votes. I hope we send all six.”

The last time that the Orioles had multiple starters was 2014 with Adam Jones and Nelson Cruz. They sent four players last year in Seattle.

* Burnes was reinstated from the paternity list earlier today. The Orioles haven’t announced the rest of their starters for the Mariners series beyond Rodriguez Tuesday night.

Left-hander Matt Krook was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after last night’s 11-2 loss to the Rangers at Camden Yards. Wyatt Langford with a three-run homer off Krook in the eighth inning.