ARLINGTON, Texas — If Seattle Mariners right fielder Nelson Cruz is again voted into the American League lineup for the All-Star Game, it will be as a designated hitter.
Major League Baseball placed Cruz among the DH candidates Wednesday when it released its All-Star ballot. He was voted last year as the starting designated hitter while playing for Baltimore.
Cruz projects again as a top candidate — he is tied for the major-league lead with 10 home runs and 22 RBI after Wednesday’s game in Texcas — but he played the outfield in 14 of the Mariners’ first 20 games.
Balloting commenced Wednesday and runs through 8:59 p.m. Pacific time on July 2. Fans can vote a maximum of 35 times. The All-Star Game is July 14 in Cincinnati.
This year, for the first time, all balloting will be conducted online. There will be no in-stadium ballots. MLB said 16 million paper ballots last year went unused.
The Mariners, as is usual, have nine nominees on the AL ballot, three outfielders and one at each of the other positions.
Second baseman Robinson Cano is seeking a sixth straight start and a seventh overall appearance. Third baseman Kyle Seager is seeking his first start after being selected last year as a reserve.
The club’s other nominees:
Catcher Mike Zunino, first baseman Logan Morrison, shortstop Brad Miller and outfielders Dustin Ackley, Austin Jackson and Seth Smith.
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