WASHINGTON -- Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman has quickly established himself as a key to the foundation the club is building with his solid hitting and defense. Coming off a superb 2007 season and entering his third full season in Washington, this could be the year he breaks through with his first All-Star Game selection.

Zimmerman, one of eight members of the Nationals to be on the ballot (outfielders Lastings Milledge, Wily Mo Pena and Austin Kearns, infielders Ronnie Belliard, Cristian Guzman and Nick Johnson and catcher Paul Lo Duca are the others) is coming off a season in which he hit .266 with 24 home runs and a team-leading 91 RBIs. He also is considered one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball.

Although Johnson is hitting .216, he leads the team in RBIs, walks and on-base percentage. Johnson didn't play last year due to a broken leg, but said the limb is 100 percent healthy. He also hasn't missed a beat with the glove, scooping bad throws and showing great range.

When the doctors took the rod of out his surgically repaired right hip late last summer, it allowed him to get his agility back and move around the first-base bag without any problems.

"After I was able to get this hip free, I feel pretty good at first base," Johnson said. "But I still have to work on the ground balls and help the guys out when they throw the balls in the dirt. You have to pick them up. I try to be solid over there."

The Lasik surgery has done wonders for Guzman. Thus far, he is having his best season as a member of the Nationals, hitting .309 with two home runs and eight RBIs. He is among the league leaders in hits with 34.

The 79th Midsummer Classic, which will be played on July 15, 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 Midsummer Classic.

Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times with the Monster 2008 All-Star Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 club sites until Wednesday, July 2, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Nationals fans also can vote at Nationals Park starting May 1 through June 22.

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 All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX and around the world by Major League Baseball International. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio play-by-play, while MLB.com will offer extensive online coverage.