Rutschman and Henderson among leaders in All-Star voting, Wells undergoes elbow surgery, Avila claimed

The Orioles are tied with the Phillies for the second-best record in baseball after winning 101 games last season, and they’re getting noticed again by fans.

The first update in All-Star Game voting finds Adley Rutschman leading all catchers in the American League and Gunnar Henderson leading the shortstops. They were the Orioles’ first two selections in the 2019 draft.

Ryan Mountcastle is second to Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. among first basemen and Jordan Westburg is second to Cleveland’s José Ramirez among third basemen. Jorge Mateo and Ryan O’Hearn are fourth among second basemen and designated hitters, respectively.

Three Orioles outfielders show up in the results, as well: Anthony Santander is fifth, Colton Cowser is seventh and Cedric Mullins is 11^th.

In addition, Corbin Burnes has an excellent chance of making the AL team and could be named the starter.

The Orioles had four representatives last summer – Rutschman, outfielder Austin Hays and relievers Félix Bautista and Yennier Cano. Hays started in place of injured Angels center fielder Mike Trout, but he isn’t on the ballot this season. Bautista won't pitch in 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The club didn’t have more than one All-Star since 2016, when it sent five players to San Diego.

This year’s game will be played on July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. They entire team will show up eventually because it opens the second half against the Rangers.

The top two vote recipients on June 27 will be revealed on MLB Network and advance to Phase 2, which begins on the 30^th. The winners will be announced on ESPN on July 3 at 7 p.m. Pitchers and substitutes will be revealed on ESPN on July 7 at 5:30 p.m.

Rutschman, who participated in last year’s Home Run Derby, has received 792,857 votes, compared to 588,952 for the Royals’ Salvador Pérez. Henderson has received 740,436, followed by 541,261 for the Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr.

Mountcastle, with 693,594 votes, trails Guerrero by 52,437. Ramirez has received 742,910 to lead Westburg (366,670).

The Astros’ José Altuve leads second basemen with 620,724. Mateo has received 276,440. Altuve’s teammate, Yordan Álvarez, leads designated hitters with 475,158. O’Hearn has 290,091.

The top three outfielders are the Yankees’ Aaron Judge with 1,366,315, teammate Juan Soto with 1,252,020 and the Astros’ Kyle Tucker with 593,358. Cleveland’s Steven Kwan is fourth with 464,274 and Santander is fifth with 321,333.

The Yankees’ Alex Verdugo is sixth with 293,984 and Cowser is next with 278,573. Mullins has received 209,511.

* The Orioles announced that Tyler Wells had "successful" elbow surgery today in Arlington, Texas. However, it wasn't the same Tommy John procedure that John Means underwent on June 3 and that Wells had in the minors.

Wells underwent right elbow revision ulnar collateral ligament surgery with UCL repair and internal brace augmentation. Dr. Keith Meister performed the surgery at Trinity Park Surgery Center.

As I explained earlier, the internal brace procedure has a faster recovery period than the 12-18 months typical with Tommy John. However, Wells won't pitch again in 2024.

Kyle Bradish also is on the injured list again with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection in January for the same injury.

The Orioles haven't announced whether Bradish will need surgery.

* The Orioles claimed right-hander Nick Avila off release waivers from the Giants, optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk and put him on the seven-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement.

The 40-man roster is full. However, Wells can be transferred to the 60-day injured list if space is needed.

Avila, 26, made his major league debut this season and allowed 11 earned runs and 12 total with 17 hits in 11 2/3 innings over eight relief appearances. He walked three batters and struck out 14. He also made eight relief appearances at Triple-A Sacramento and allowed seven runs and seven hits with 13 strikeouts in 9 1/3.

Avila is 26-11 with a 3.59 ERA in 146 minor league games. He’s surrendered only 25 home runs in 241 innings.