Chicago Cubs all over the all-star balloting

It's a Chicago election, and Cubs fans are voting early and voting often.

The first update on balloting for the July 12 All-Star Game at San Diego came out Wednesday, and Cubs are leading all over the diamond.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo leads all National League players with 874,471 votes. Cubs players lead at all of the infield positions: Ben Zobrist at second base, Kris Bryant at third and Addison Russell at shortstop.

Center fielder Dexter Fowler is second among outfielders behind Washington's Bryce Harper and ahead of the Mets' Yoenis Cespedes.

"It's unreal," Rizzo said. "It's awesome. The fans obviously are voting for it, and I'm very appreciate of that.

"It is an honor. I love the team, this city. It's nice to be rewarded."

Rizzo is a two-time all-star looking to make his first start in the Midsummer Classic. He and Bryant went to the All-Star Game last year. Zobrist is a two-time American League all-star.

There's still a long way to go in the voting, but it's also possible Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta could start for the National League.

"I think that's probably the shoo-in," Bryant said of Arrieta. "He's the dude who should be starting the game. He's shown it from last year and obviously his first 10 starts here. It's just lights out, unbelievable. It should be fun to see how that plays out."

It doesn't matter where:

Kris Bryant made his first career appearance at shortstop in Tuesday's 5-0 loss to the Dodgers. Bryant went to third during the top of the ninth inning, when manager Joe Maddon made a double switch with the pitching.

Bryant moved over from third base, with Tommy La Stella coming in and playing third.

"Fun, weird, I enjoyed it," Bryant said. "It was a little different, but I played there in high school. I was hoping for a ball."

Bryant is an all-star third baseman, but he's never balked at playing any of the three outfield positions or first base.

"I've never been the type of person to voice my opinion in that way, to say, 'I'm only a third baseman, I only hit third in the lineup,' " he said. "I don't like people who play the game that way.

"I don't think we should because Joe Maddon is one of the best managers in the league. I trust his judgment. I'm here to help the team. At times, it's going to be in left field, like it is today. I realize that, and I don't mind it."

Hammel looking good:

The Cubs say pitcher Jason Hammel should be good to start Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field. Hammel suffered cramping in his right hamstring during Monday's start against the Dodgers.

Hammel has tested the hamstring and thrown a side session, which the Cubs said went well.

Injured catcher-outfielder Kyle Schwarber (knee surgery) has had a checkup in Dallas and is "progressing really nicely," said general manager Jed Hoyer.