Surge puts Correa, Springer among All-Star leaders
Off to their best start in franchise history, the Astros could have their three best position players starting the All-Star Game on July 11 at Miami’s Marlins Park.
Second baseman Jose Altuve and shortstop Carlos Correa lead their respective positions in American League voting, and George Springer is among the top three outfielders, according to the latest balloting update provided by MLB on Tuesday.
Correa has surpassed Francisco Lindor of the Cleveland Indians by 122,191 votes after trailing in each of the first two balloting updates.
“It’s pretty cool,” Correa said. “Obviously, it’s not over yet. We’ve still got a couple weeks to go. But I’m really grateful that the fans are voting for me to be the starting shortstop. It really means a lot.”
Springer jumped from seventh place among outfielders to supplant last week’s third-place vote getter, Cleveland’s Michael Brantley, whom Springer now leads by 28,339 votes.
Altuve, who led among AL second basemen last week, extended his margin over the New York Yankees’ Starlin Castro to 543,633. His 1,615,938 votes are the second most garnered by any AL player, fewer than only the Yankees’ Aaron Judge (1,893,260).
Brian McCann moved up from third to second among AL catchers but still trails Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals by 234,465 votes.
The Astros haven’t had more than two All-Stars in a given season since 2005, when they had Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt, Brad Lidge and Morgan Ensberg. They also had four in 2004: Clemens, Lance Berkman, Carlos Beltran and Jeff Kent.
MLB will provide its next AL balloting update on June 20. Voting ends June 29 at 10:59 p.m. A combination of a players’ ballot and selections made by the commissioner’s office will determine the pitchers and reserves for both All-Star teams.
Reddick avoids DL for now
The Astros didn’t make a roster move Tuesday but haven’t ruled out a stint on the seven-day concussion disabled list for outfielder Josh Reddick.
Reddick was still going through the concussion protocol as of pregame Tuesday. He must be cleared by doctors before he’s available to return to the field.
“He’s doing a little bit better, but he needs to be evaluated by the doctor still,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said before Tuesday night’s game against the Rangers.
Stints on the concussion DL can be backdated two days, so if the Astros end up placing Reddick on the DL, he would next be eligible to play June 20 at Oakland. Reddick hasn’t been available to speak to reporters since exiting Monday’s game after crashing into a wall attempting to make a catch in the second inning.
Nori Aoki started in right field Tuesday. Marwin Gonzalez played left field and batted in the two-hole typically occupied by Reddick.
Odds and ends
Lance McCullers is relegated to rest the next couple days as he recovers from the tightness in his lower back. His potential availability for Monday’s start in Oakland should gain clarity once he’s re-evaluated after the Astros’ day off Thursday. …
Dallas Keuchel (neck discomfort) isn’t expected to play catch until this weekend at the earliest. …
Charlie Morton, who’s been playing catch since Friday, is close to testing himself off a mound as he works his way back from his lat strain. …
The Astros are in line to miss Red Sox ace Chris Sale in this weekend’s series at Minute Maid Park. Sale is scheduled to start against the Phillies on Thursday at Fenway Park.