Texas Rangers’ Marcus Semien edges Houston Astros rival Jose Altuve in All-Star voting

Part of holding an All-Star Game is the hope that the host team will have at least one player in its starting lineup.

For the Texas Rangers, their only chance is second baseman Marcus Semien. And after a day of voting, he needs help.

MLB released the first-day percentages of the second phase of All-Star voting on Monday, and Semien, who is trying to start for the second straight season, received just 44 percent of the vote.

What hurts is who’s leading it after one day: Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve.

Semien was one of five Rangers who were elected to the starting lineup last July, including catcher Jonah Heim, shortstop Corey Seager, third baseman Josh Jung and outfielder Adolis Garcia.

With the Rangers languishing below .500 and Jung missing most of the season with an injury, Semien was the only Texas player to make it past the first round of voting.

The second phase of voting continues through noon ET Wednesday. The ballot is available online and on mobile devices at mlb.com/vote. Fans can only vote once per day.

Semien was also a member of the 2021 American League All-Star team while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. He signed with Texas ahead of the 2022 season.

Altuve is an All-Star veteran looking to make his ninth appearance. He hasn’t been an All-Star since 2022.

Leaders at other positions include Baltimore catcher Adley Rutschman, Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Baltimore shortstop Gunnar Henderson, Cleveland third baseman José Ramírez, Houston designated hitter Yordan Alvarez and the outfield duo of New York Yankees’ Juan Soto and Cleveland’s Steven Kwan.

There are only two starting spots up for grabs in the outfield because the New York Yankees slugger was the AL’s top vote-getter in the first phase and received an automatic starting spot.

The replacements and pitching staff will be released this weekend. They are selected by a vote of the players and the MLB office.