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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Appel was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Appel was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The first overall pick by the Astros in 2013, he was dealt to Philadelphia two years ago in the Ken Giles trade. Appel has failed to get his career on track since the move, posting an ERA north of 5.00 at Triple-A Lehigh Valley last season with nearly as many walks (54) as strikeouts (60) in 82 innings. He will now be subjected to waivers.

Appel (shoulder) was activated from the disabled list at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Appel had been sidelined for the past two months with a shoulder ailment. He will be used out of the bullpen for the IronPigs in the International League playoffs. It is unclear if the Phillies intend to return him to a starting role next season or if the move to the pen will be permanent.

Appel (shoulder) started a rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast League Phillies on Thursday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Appel has been sidelined since the begging of July with a shoulder strain. The minor-league season has almost ended, so it is unlikely we'll see Appel back at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season. Since he holds a spot on the Phillies' 40-man roster, there is an outside chance he could get a look in the majors this month if his shoulder is healthy.

Appel is not expected to require surgery on his shoulder, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Appel has been sent to Florida to rehab his shoulder strain. Joe Jordan, the Phillies' director of player development, said Appel should return to Triple-A Lehigh Valley "sooner rather than later."

Appel (shoulder) will head to the 7-day disabled list Thursday, Stephen Gross of The Morning Call reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander was placed on the DL with a right shoulder strain after going almost two full weeks without any time on the mound for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. His past two starts have been a little shaky, allowing four earned runs off 15 hits and seven walks during 10 innings of work. It has been a difficult year for Appel, and he may be in line to miss an extended period of time depending on the severity of this injury.

Appel allowed five hits over 8.1 scoreless innings Monday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He struck out eight and walked three.

EDGE Analysis

This was easily Appel's best start of the season. He generated 13 ground ball outs and threw 70 of his 119 pitches for strikes. Overall, it has been another tough season for the top pick in the 2013 draft. He has a 5.05 ERA and a 49:41 K:BB in 71.1 innings. With poor command and a middling strikeout rate, it looks like Appel will have to be shifted to a bullpen role at some point to see if he can be productive in shorter stints.

Appel allowed six runs on 11 hits over four innings Tuesday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Appel gave up a couple of home runs in a game that saw a total of five homers hit thanks in part to a strong breeze blowing out to right field. The former No. 1 overall pick now has a 7.48 ERA and a 17:9 K:BB in 21.2 innings for Lehigh Valley this season. He has also failed to go past five innings in any of his starts. The Phillies may soon have to think about shifting Appel to the pen to see if his stuff will play up better in a relief role. It is looking increasingly unlikely that he will ever carve out a career as a starter in the majors.