Rutschman continues to lead in All-Star balloting; Orioles designate Watkins for assignment, add Bemboom, Gillaspie

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida—Adley Rutschman continues to lead in the catcher’s voting for the American League All-Star team. Rutschman has 895,217 votes, nearly 230,000 ahead of Kansas City’s Salvador Perez.

Gunnar Henderson makes his first appearance on the leader board. He’s eighth among designated hitters.

First baseman Ryan Mountcastle, second baseman Adam Frazier and shortstop Jorge Mateo are also eighth among their positions.

Ramón Urias is 10^th in third baseman voting, and outfielders Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins are 15^th and 19^th.

Phase 1 voting ends on Thursday at noon. The top two vote-getters at each position and top six outfielders will be revealed on MLB Network at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Starters will be announced on June 29^th, and full rosters on July 2^nd.

Roster moves: The Orioles recalled right-handed pitcher Logan Gillaspie from Triple-A Norfolk, purchased the contract of catcher Anthony Bemboom, designated right-hander Spenser Watkins for assignment and optioned catcher José Godoy to Norfolk.

Godoy, who was the Orioles’ taxi squad catcher, had his contract purchased before Sunday’s game in Chicago after James McCann was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a sprained ankle. Godoy did not play.

Bemboom, who began the season with the Orioles when McCann was on the injured list because of a strained left oblique muscle, played two games and was hitless in two at-bats. He began the 2022 season with the Orioles and hit .115 with a home run and RBI in 22 games before he was outrighted to Norfolk when Rutschman arrived.

Gillaspie began the season with the Orioles and was 0-1 with a 6.75 earned-run average in nine games.

Watkins was recalled twice, both times while the Orioles were in Chicago, but wasn’t used in any of the five games for which he was active. Watkins was 7-13 with a 5.85 ERA in 39 games with the Orioles in 2021 and 2022.

Right-hander Noah Denoyer, who was designated for assignment on June 13th, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Norfolk.