Appel, the first-overall selection in the 2013 MLB Draft, made his long-awaited major league debut last year with the Phillies. He wound up making six relief appearances before suffering a season-ending elbow injury. The 31-year-old righty has been cut loose after allowing seven runs on 10 hits with a 5/6 K/BB ratio across 5 2/3 innings (six appearances) this spring in the Grapefruit League.

Appel, the top-overall selection from the 2012 MLB Draft, finally made his long-awaited major-league debut last season for the Phillies, compiling a microscopic 1.74 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 5/3 K/BB ratio across 10 1/3 innings (six appearances) before suffering a season-ending elbow injury in early September. The 31-year-old right-hander will compete this spring in the Grapefruit League for a spot on Philadelphia's season-opening roster.

The former top overall selection was removed from the Phillies' 40-man roster earlier this week and has decided to explore his options on the open market, rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 31-year-old righty finally made it to the majors this past season, finishing with a microscopic 1.74 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 5/3 K/BB ratio across 10 1/3 innings (six appearances) for Philadelphia. He should be able to easily latch on as organizational relief depth somewhere this offseason.

Appel was taken off the 60-day injured list and then removed from the 40-man roster again. The former first-overall pick was solid in his brief time with Philadelphia as seen in a 1.74 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over 10 1/3 innings. If he elects free agency, there should be interest on the open market.