By Ryan Divish

The Seattle Times

MILWAUKEE — People continue to ask Daniel Vogelbach, and he still doesn’t have an answer. Even Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich, the reigning National League Most Valuable Player, mentioned it to Vogelbach while standing on first base in the first inning of Wednesday night’s game at Miller Park.

Are you going to participate in the Home Run Derby?

Asked again before Thursday afternoon’s game versus the Brewers, Vogelbach mentioned the answer given by Rangers slugger Joey Gallo, who has also been asked often about the situation.

“I can’t go if I’m not invited,” he said.

Vogelbach said he hasn’t heard anything from MLB about participating in the All-Star festivities at Progressive Field in Cleveland. He only knows of two players who have officially been invited to the 2019 Home Run Derby — Vlad Guerrero of the Blue Jays and Carlos Santana of the Indians.

To his credit, he isn’t going to campaign and make a show of it. He wants to do it and made his feelings known. The Mariners and their fans have pushed for it on social media. Vogelbach has hit 19 homers, which is seventh most in baseball. He’s hitting a homer in every 12.7 at-bats.

Given the Mariners roster, there is a chance Vogelbach could be the team’s lone representative on the American League All-Star team.

Also: Kyle Seager was out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive game with a sore right hand. Seager jammed it on a swing early in Tuesday’s win over the Brewers. He played the rest of the game but woke up with soreness and discomfort Wednesday. He’s taking anti-inflammatories and is receiving treatment. Seager thought he would be ready to return during the weekend series in Houston.