Nationals’ Harper leads NL voting for All-Star Game by wide margin

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper continues to be the top vote-getter in National League All-Star Game balloting.

Harper, the Las Vegas product who is tied for the major league lead in home runs with 18, has received 2,323,186 votes. He is followed in the outfield by the St. Louis Cardinals’ Matt Holliday (1,654,428) and the Miami Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton (1,210,108).

The San Francisco Giants’ Buster Posey (1,679,730) moved past the Cardinals’ Yadier Molina (1,542,231) as the leader at catcher.

Other position leaders are Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta (1,279,711) over the Giants’ Brandon Crawford (1,103,884), Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter (1,974,503) over Chicago Cubs rookie and Bonanza High product Kris Bryant (1,079,693), Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon (1,531,048) over the Cardinals’ Kolten Wong (1,185,982), and Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (1,380,696) over the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Paul Goldschmidt (1,067,482).

The All-Star Game will be played July 14 in Cincinnati.

Also: Washington Nationals right-handed starter Stephen Strasburg is dealing with a strained left trapezius muscle, manager Matt Williams said.

Strasburg was evaluated by team doctors on Monday and the results confirmed the Nationals’ initial diagnosis. Strasburg will not throw and must rest and receive treatment until the tightness subsides.

The discomfort in the muscle, which stretches from the neck into the upper back, forced Strasburg out of his last start in Cincinnati after 16 pitches. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Scott Van Slyke was placed on the 15-da7 disabled list with a back injury. He was replaced on the roster by veteran Chris Heisey.

The Dodgers already are without injured outfielders Carl Crawford and Yasiel Puig.

In 34 games this season, Van Slyke is batting .264 with two home runs and 14 RBIs.