MINNEAPOLIS — Junior Caminero already has one big event happening this weekend, as he turns 22 on Saturday.

He’d love the opportunity to have another celebration on Sunday if he gets chosen for the American League All-Star team.

“I know the numbers are there (to be selected),” Caminero said Friday via team interpreter Eddie Rodriguez. “I’m not paying too much attention to that. I’m just focused on helping the team win. Hopefully, God willing, I will get the call saying that because it would be a special thing to do.”

Like teammates Jonathan Aranda, Yandy Diaz, Brandon Lowe, Ryan Pepiot and Drew Rasmussen, Caminero is hoping to either be elected in the players vote or appointed to the team by Major League Baseball officials filling out the 32-man rosters. Players also can be added as substitutes for injured All-Stars right up to the July 15 game in Atlanta.

Caminero, who went into play Saturday tied for third in the AL with 21 homers, said he hasn’t been asked yet about participating in the Home Run Derby but has interest in the right situation.

If he makes the AL team and gets invited to the derby, he said “it’ll be a good thing.” If he doesn’t make the team and gets the derby offer, he said he’d talk it over with agent Rafa Nieves “and see what we decide” about going anyway.

Caminero said he views his 22nd birthday as a big one.

“It’s a very special moment, and I’m very happy,” he said. “It’s like the childhood is behind me now, and that’s a good thing.”

If he hits No. 22 on his 22nd birthday?

“If I do that,” he said, “it’s going to be a special thing.”

B-Lowe one shy of tying Diaz

Brandon Lowe extended his carer-high and major-league-leading hit streak to 19 games Friday.

That matches Jason Bartlett’s 2009 performance, which stood as the franchise record until last year, when Yandy Diaz had a 20-game streak.

Diaz (who extended his on-base streak to 27 games) said he would welcome the company.

“No, of course I’m not worried,” he said, via Rodriguez, “Hopefully he gets to like 50 games and he becomes the best hitter in MLB.”

Lowe said he isn’t doing anything special during his streak.

“Just trying to hit the baseball, take good at-bats, honestly,” he said. “Just more team oriented, more focused on doing stuff that’s going to help the team and benefit the team in any way possible. Really, the only idea up there is, what can I do to get on base.”

Bradley seeks rebound, againRays starter Taj Bradley isn't overhauling his entire approach, but making small adjustments with pitching coach Kyle Snyder.Rays starter Taj Bradley isn’t overhauling his entire approach, but making small adjustments with pitching coach Kyle Snyder. [ NICK WASS | AP ]Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

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Taj Bradley is set to start Saturday after a recent stretch of inconsistency: Three rough starts, one very good one at Kansas City and a so-so outing last Sunday at Baltimore.

Bradley said some adjustments he made with pitching coach Kyle Snyder before the Royals game are still a work in progress.

“Just still hitting on the same stuff we did,” he said. “You don’t want to get too forward and just think that you need to change the whole thing and get a whole new wardrobe going. Just the simple things. It takes time for things to come to fruition, and stuff like that. Just do everything you need to do in between the starts and stuff we’ve been working on to get me going well.”

Miscellany

The Rays went homerless, snapping a season-high streak of going deep in seven straight games. … The Rays are 10-17 on Independence Day. … This series was flipped with a May series so the teams could avoid the steamy Florida conditions. First-pitch temperature Friday was 92 with a feels like of 97, and there is a 73% chance of rain Saturday. … Durham right-hander Joe Boyle was named the Rays minor-league pitcher of the month for June, going 3-0, 1.80 in six games. Outfielder Tristan Peters was named the top player after hitting .385 with five homers, 27 RBIs and a 1.156 ERA. Both also won Triple-A International League monthly honors.

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