KANSAS CITY— Five Royals continue to be in position to start in the All-Star Game based on voting results released this week, and a sixth, first baseman Eric Hosmer, is closing the gap on Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera. Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on their computers, tablets and smartphones -- using the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, July 2, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For the first time, voting is exclusively online, where fans may submit up to 35 ballots.

Cabrera has received 2,123,752 votes, just over 70,000 more than Hosmer (2,053,237), who is hoping to make his first All-Star Game, which will be played on Tuesday, July 14 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

Meanwhile, Royals catcher Salvador Perez continues to lead all American League players with 2,681,063 total votes. Perez, a two-time All-Star, is hoping to become the first Kansas City catcher to be voted in since Darrell Porter in 1979.

Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain and third baseman Mike Moustakas rank second and third overall in AL voting with 2,506,859 and 2,385,024 votes, respectively. Cain and Moustakas would be making their first All-Star appearances.

Kansas City left fielder Alex Gordon is third in outfield voting, with 1,917,834 votes. Gordon is a two-time All-Star and a four-time Gold Glove Award winner.

Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar continues to lead at his position with 2,269,046 votes. He is looking for his first All-Star game appearance.

The Royals are hoping to become the second AL team to have five players earn starting All-Star assignments since voting was returned to fans in 1970. In that time, only the 1976 “Big Red Machine” Cincinnati Reds (Johnny Bench, Dave Concepcion, George Foster, Joe Morgan, Pete Rose) had five players earn starting bids in the Midsummer Classic. In addition, Kansas City second baseman Omar Infante (1,442,990) and designated hitter Kendrys Morales (1,827,730) are second in voting at their respective position.

Fans may also receive the ballot by texting VOTE to 89269 (USA) or 101010 (Canada). Or text VOTA for a ballot in Spanish. Message and data rates may apply. Up to five messages. No purchase required. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP for info.

Following the announcement of the 2015 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player for each league’s All-Star roster. On Tuesday, July 14, watch the 2015 All-Star Game live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2015 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.

MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of All-Star Week festivities.

The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International’s independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.