NEW YORK -- The left side of the Yankees' infield should have no trouble adjusting to its surroundings on July 15, as long as the current All-Star Game tallies hold up.

Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez remain tops at their respective positions in the third update of voting, and quite a few others remain within striking distance of earning a ticket to the game.

Rodriguez, the leading vote-getter in last year's All-Star Game balloting, has come on strong for the surging Yankees, homering in four consecutive games recently. He leads the next closest contender at third base, Boston's Mike Lowell, by nearly 1 million votes.

The three-time American League MVP has helped New York go 21-11 since returning to the starting lineup on May 20.

"He's really driving the ball, and he's not missing pitches," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It took him a little time to get his timing back, but he looks really good."

The Yankees fared just 6-11 in the 17 games played while Rodriguez was on the disabled list with a right quadriceps strain.

"Any time you insert the best player in the league, it's going to get better," said Johnny Damon. "It's kind of good he's been flying under the radar."

Jeter, an eight-time All-Star, currently leads Michael Young of the Rangers by more than 800,000 votes in the balloting for shortstops. Jeter continues to close ground on Yankees legends on the club's all-time lists, most recently surpassing Mickey Mantle with his 2,416th career hit.

Hideki Matsui's candidacy to become the AL's starting designated hitter could be bolstered by an injury that Boston's David Ortiz suffered recently, partially tearing a tendon sheath in his left wrist and landing on the 15-day DL.

That could open the door for Matsui -- second to Ortiz among AL DHs -- to make it to the Midsummer Classic for the third time in his career, though he said he isn't counting on it just yet. Ortiz still leads Matsui by over 700,000 votes.

The 79th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8 p.m. ET on July 15. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage. XM will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game.

The All-Star Game will be the fourth held at Yankee Stadium and the eighth in New York City. The Yankees previously hosted the All-Star Game in 1939, 1960 and 1977; the Polo Grounds held the game in 1934 and 1942; Ebbets Field was the site in 1949; and Shea Stadium hosted the 1964 tilt.

Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times with the Monster 2008 All-Star Game Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 club sites until Wednesday, July 2, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Starting rosters will be announced during the 2008 All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Chevrolet on TBS on Sunday, July 6. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the Monster 2008 All-Star Final Vote at MLB.com.

And the voting doesn't end there. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player presented by Chevrolet at the All-Star Game via the Monster 2008 All-Star Game MVP vote at MLB.com.

The mustachioed Jason Giambi is in the All-Star Game hunt, ranking third in voting among AL first basemen behind Boston's Kevin Youkilis and Minnesota's Justin Morneau.

Other Yankees involved in the balloting include Robinson Cano, who is third at second base; Jorge Posada, who ranks fourth at catcher; and the outfield trio of Bobby Abreu, Melky Cabrera and Damon, all of whom rank in the top 10 among AL outfielders. Abreu and Damon are fifth and sixth, respectively.

The Yankees were represented at the 2007 All-Star Game in San Francisco by Rodriguez, Jeter and Posada.

2008 MLB All-Star Balloting : American League
First Base
RANK	PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Youkilis, K.	Red Sox	1,482,011
2.	Morneau, J.	Twins	1,214,603
3.	Giambi, J.	Yankees	828,891
4.	Pena, C.	Rays	455,233
5.	Konerko, P.	White Sox	435,176
Second Base
RANK	PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Pedroia, D.	Red Sox	1,286,962
2.	Kinsler, I.	Rangers	1,120,439
3.	Cano, R.	Yankees	830,116
4.	Polanco, P.	Tigers	551,180
5.	Roberts, B.	Orioles	360,545
Third base
RANK	PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Rodriguez, A.	Yankees	1,940,827
2.	Lowell, M.	Red Sox	981,648
3.	Crede, J.	White Sox	597,621
4.	Cabrera, M.	Tigers	567,213
5.	Blalock, H.	Rangers	363,051
Shortstop
RANK	PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Jeter, D.	Yankees	1,988,251
2.	Young, M.	Rangers	1,140,258
3.	Renteria, E.	Tigers	557,951
4.	Lugo, J.	Red Sox	466,498
5.	Cabrera, O.	White Sox	443,175
Catcher
RANK	PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Mauer, J.	Twins	1,178,630
2.	Varitek, J.	Red Sox	1,133,855
3.	Rodriguez, I.	Tigers	819,694
4.	Posada, J.	Yankees	771,625
5.	Pierzynski, A.J.	White Sox	470,795
Designated hitter
RANK	PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Ortiz, D.	Red Sox	1,982,786
2.	Matsui, H.	Yankees	1,207,892
3.	Thome, J.	White Sox	675,775
4.	Catalanotto, F.	Rangers	437,091
5.	Sheffield, G.	Tigers	303,058
Outfield
RANK	PLAYER NAME	AL TEAM	TOTAL VOTES
1.	Ramirez, M.	Red Sox	1,917,207
2.	Hamilton, J.	Rangers	1,791,623
3.	Suzuki, I.	Mariners	1,120,279
4.	Guerrero, V.	Angels	933,191
5.	Abreu, B.	Yankees	908,935
6.	Damon, J.	Yankees	829,114
7.	Bradley, M.	Rangers	801,708
8.	Drew, J.D.	Red Sox	774,112
9.	Ordonez, M.	Tigers	746,144
10.	Cabrera, M.	Yankees	708,463
11.	Hunter, T.	Angels	645,673
12.	Sizemore, G.	Indians	634,553
13.	Crisp, C.	Red Sox	547,717
14.	Crawford, C.	Rays	534,690
15.	Upton, B.J.	Rays	466,951
Results updated: Monday, June 23, 2008