After missing the tail end of the 2022 season with right elbow inflammation, Appel re-signed with the Phillies on a minor-league deal over the winter and appeared in six games this spring, struggling to a 11.12 ERA over 5.2 innings. Keeping the ball in the yard was particularly problematic for the No. 1 overall pick of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, as he gave up three home runs in his limited action. struggled with the long-ball, surrendering three of them in his limited action. Appel worked hard to reach the major-league level for the first time in 2022, but the Phillies didn't see enough progress from the 31-year-old to remain interested in keeping him around for the upcoming minor-league season. Though he acknowledged in a post on his personal Twitter account earlier Monday that the upcoming season will likely be his last in professional baseball, Appel is still expected to continue playing in 2023 if he can land a minor-league contract with another organization.
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Phillies' Mark Appel: Looks healthy in spring
Rotowire
Appel (elbow) has made two Grapefruit League appearances to date, giving up an earned run on two hits and one walk while striking out two over two innings.
The No. 1 overall pick of the Astros in the 2013 first-year player draft, Appel reached the majors for the first time in his career last June with Philadelphia. He logged six appearances out of the bullpen, pitching to a 1.74 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over 10.1 innings. Appel missed the final month of the regular season due to right elbow inflammation and was outrighted off the Phillies' 40-man roster over the winter before rejoining Philadelphia on a minor-league contract in January. He'll likely head to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to begin the 2023 season.
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Phillies' Mark Appel: Re-ups with Phils on minors deal
Rotowire
Appel (elbow) has re-signed with the Phillies on a minor-league contract, according to the team.
The 2013 No. 1 overall pick finally reached the majors with the Phillies in 2022 but promptly went on the injured list because of an elbow issue that may still be lingering when he arrives in camp this spring. It's unclear where his health stands, and what his odds would be to again carve out a spot in the Philadelphia bullpen.
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Phillies' Mark Appel: Outrighted to minors
Rotowire
Appel (elbow) was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.
Appel spent the end of the 2022 season on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be ready for spring training in 2023. If he's healthy this spring, he'll likely compete for a spot on the major-league roster.
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Phillies' Mark Appel: Goes on 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Phillies recalled Appel (elbow) from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday and placed him on the 60-day injured list.
Right elbow inflammation will end Appel's season, and this move frees up a 40-man roster spot for Zach Eflin (kneecap) to rejoin the club. Appel pitched to a 1.74 ERA with a 5:3 K:BB in 10.1 big-league innings before being demoted Aug. 3. If healthy, the former first overall pick could contend for a roster spot in spring training.
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Phillies' Mark Appel: Lands on injured list
Rotowire
Appel was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday due to an elbow injury, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Appel has been in the minors for just over a month, but he's now dealing with an elbow issue that will sideline him for at least a week. The severity of his injury isn't yet clear, and whether he's able to return after a minimal IL stint remains to be seen.
Appel was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.
Appel was called up by the Phillies on Saturday, and he allowed a run in 3.1 innings over two relief appearances during his time with the major-league club. However, he'll head back to the minors after the Phillies made several acquisitions ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline.
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Phillies' Mark Appel: Recalled by Phillies
Rotowire
Appel was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.
Appel has made four relief appearances for the Phillies this year, posting a 1.29 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in seven innings. The right-hander was sent down July 16 but will rejoin the major-league roster as a multi-inning relief option after Kyle Gibson (personal) was placed on the bereavement list Saturday.
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Phillies' Mark Appel: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Appel was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.
Appel joined the Phillies' bullpen in late June and posted a 1.29 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in seven innings over four appearances with the major-league club. However, the right-hander will head back to the minors after Ranger Suarez (back) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.
Phillies' Mark Appel: Receiving call to big leagues
Rotowire
Appel is expected to be called up by the Phillies ahead of Saturday's game against the Padres, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Connor Brogdon is headed to the COVID-19 injured list, and Appel, who was originally the No. 1 overall pick by the Astros in 2013, is poised to receive his first promotion to the big leagues as a result. The 30-year-old ended a three-year retirement in 2021, and he's pitched well at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season with a 1.61 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB across 28 innings.
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Phillies' Mark Appel: Rebooting career
Rotowire
Appel plans to end his retirement in the near future before reporting to the Phillies' minor-league camp, Matt Gelb and Evan Drellich of The Athletic report.
The No. 1 overall pick by Houston in the 2013 first-year player draft, Appel struggled to live up to expectations during his tenure in the Astros organization before he was dealt to the Phillies in December of 2015. Following back-to-back seasons with ERAs north of 4.40 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Appel announced plans in February 2018 to take an indefinite break from professional baseball. After three years away from the game, Appel is apparently ready to stage a comeback at 29 years old. Due to the length of his absence, Appel may need to prove himself in the lower rungs of the minors for an extended period before the Phillies give him another look at the Triple-A or Double-A level.
Appel said in an interview with Joon Lee of Bleacher Report that he is taking an "indefinite break" from professional baseball.
Selected by the Astros with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 first-year player draft, Appel was expected to be a centerpiece of Houston's rebuild and require only limited time in the minors before fronting the big club's rotation. Instead, Appel was hit hard in his first exposure to professional baseball and only saw his command and control worsen over the subsequent four seasons while never rising above the Triple-A level, with a trade to the Phillies in December 2015 doing little to improve his outlook. The Phillies were expected to transition Appel to a bullpen role this spring after shoulder inflammation cut short his 2017 campaign, but the 26-year-old decided walking away from the game was in his best interest at this time. If Appel declines to resume his baseball career, he'll become only the third No. 1 overall pick never to reach the majors.
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Phillies' Mark Appel: Outrighted to Triple-A
Rotowire
Appel was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.
Appel, who was designated for assignment by the Phillies last week, will report to Lehigh Valley after passing through waivers untouched. The former No. 1 overall pick in 2013 has struggled since being dealt to the Phillies two years ago, posting a combined 5.01 ERA and 94:73 K:BB across two seasons (120.1 innings) with the IronPigs. He'll likely open the season back at Lehigh Valley.
