Appel was optioned to the Phillies' minor-league camp Tuesday, Ryan Lawrence of The Philly Voice reports.

EDGE Analysis

Most of the prospect sheen has worn off Appel at this point, but despite the demotion back to the minors, the former No. 1 overall pick has a good chance to surface with the Phillies later in 2017. He was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason and will presumably be on the team's short list of call-ups when a spot starter is needed, but until that happens, Appel will have to bide his time at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He's compiled a 4.47 ERA and 1.98 K/BB rate over 20 career starts at the Triple-A level.

Appel said he is able to get more extension when throwing now that he is pitching without bone spurs in his elbow, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports. "I think a big thing for me, and really pitchers in general, is the amount of extension you get when you're throwing the ball," Appel said. "I think it helps with velocity, it helps with control, it helps just with the stress that goes through your elbow. When I had bone spurs, it really limited that range."

EDGE Analysis

Appel had surgery last June to remove bone spurs from his right elbow. He also missed time with shoulder problems last season, and pitched just 38.1 innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley before being shut down for the season. He's healthy now and is expected to open the year in the rotation back at Lehigh Valley. If he continues to struggle as a starter, the Phillies could decide to put him in the pen to see if he can deliver as a reliever instead.

Appel (elbow) was added to the Phillies' 40-man roster Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The top pick in the 2013 first-year player draft, he struggled mightily in his first two years with full-season affiliates and was unceremoniously shipped out of Houston last winter in the Ken Giles trade. Things didn't get much better for Appel in 2016, as he posted a 4.46 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in eight starts at Triple-A before ultimately having surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow. However, he's making steady progress in his recovery and could compete for a rotation spot in spring training.

Joe Jordan, the Phillies' director of player development, said Appel (elbow) will finish his rehab work in the next few weeks and head home for the offseason to prepare for spring training, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Appel is recovering from surgery in June to remove a bone spur in his right elbow. He was 3-3 with a 4.46 ERA and a 34:20 K:BB in 38.1 innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year before he was shut down. He will likely get a chance to compete for a rotation spot this spring.

Appel (elbow) is expected to start throwing off a mound in a few weeks, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Appel is recovering from surgery in late June to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. He struggled at Triple-A this past season, going 3-3 with a 4.46 ERA and a 34:20 K:BB in 38.1 innings. He is expected to be ready for spring training.

Appel underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday to remove a bone spur from his elbow, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wednesday's surgery puts an already injury-filled 2016 campaign to an end as he had already endured some shoulder issues in addition to the bone spur on his elbow. Gelb reports that Appel should be ready by the time spring training gets underway, but he'll by 25 by that time, so the clock will be ticking for him to deliver on his potential. Prior to landing on the disabled list this season, Appel posted a 4.46 ERA with a 1.57 WHIP in 38.1 innings (eight starts) at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Joe Jordan, the Phillies' director of player development, said Appel (shoulder) is looking at a mid-July return, Jay Floyd of the Shore Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Appel has been playing catch and is not feeling any pain in his shoulder according to Jordan. He was shut down in late May with a shoulder strain.

Appel (shoulder) played catch Tuesday for the first time since being shut down in May, but he remains at least two-to-three weeks away from returning from the DL, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

The former first round pick has been battling a shoulder strain since late May, but he does appear to be making progress towards a return. He played catch Tuesday, so he'll likely need to log a few more similar sessions before moving to throwing off a mound. The expectation is that he'll be able to return from the 7-day DL in two-to-three weeks, at which point he should return to the rotation at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Appel said medical exams of his shoulder have shown no structural damage, Tom Housenick of the Allentown Morning Call reports.

EDGE Analysis

Appel failed to reach 90 mph in his last start and went on the disabled list Friday with a right shoulder strain. Manager Dave Brundage said there is no timetable for Appel's return.

Appel was placed on the minor league DL Friday with a right shoulder strain, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Matt Breen reports.

EDGE Analysis

His fastball velocity had been down in his last start, topping out at 89 mph before being pulled in the first inning Sunday. Appel has been a disappointment ever since getting drafted with the top pick in the 2013 draft, but his previous failings have been performance related. This shoulder injury might be a queue to move on from Appel in dynasty leagues where fewer than 150 prospects are rostered.