Phillies release former 1st overall pick Appel
The Philadelphia Phillies released right-hander Mark Appel, the team announced Monday.
Appel tweeted Saturday that 2023 will likely be his last season in baseball.
My Honest Reality
— Mark Appel (@markappel26) March 18, 2023
March 19, 2023
Welcome to the 2023 baseball season.
Opening Day is around the corner. Pitchers are almost ready. Position players are locked in. Fans share the optimism a new season brings.
But this isn't just another season.
This is likely my last.
He was the first overall pick by the Houston Astros in the 2013 draft. The Phillies acquired him as part of a seven-player deal with the Astros in 2015.
Appel struggled through injuries for years and stepped away from the game in 2018. The 31-year-old attempted a comeback in 2021 and made his big-league debut with the Phillies last June in a game against the Atlanta Braves.
(Video source: MLB.com)
Appel appeared in six games last season, posting a sparkling 1.74 ERA, 1.16 WHP, and five strikeouts across 10 1/3 innings.
The hurler was off to a rough start this spring. Appel posted an 11.12 ERA and 2.82 WHIP with five strikeouts over six appearances.