Phillies keep Mark Appel, Alberto Tirado
The team retained the righthanded pitchers after they cleared waivers following their removal last week from the 40-man roster.
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The Phillies held on to Mark Appel and Alberto Tirado on Monday after the righthanded pitchers cleared waivers following their removal last week from the 40-man roster.
Appel and Tirado were outrighted to triple A as the Phillies finalized their roster before next month's Rule 5 draft. They chose last week to protect righthanders Seranthony Dominguez, Franklyn Kilome and Jose Taveras and lefthander Ranger Suarez. An opposing team would have had to place Appel or Tirado on its 40-man roster if it had claimed either on waivers.
Appel cleared waivers just four years after Houston drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick. He has yet to reach the majors and has been injured in both of his seasons with the Phillies. The 26-year-old has a 4.82 ERA in 37 starts at triple A. Tirado, 22, had a 4.07 ERA last season in 77 1/3 innings, 12 of which came at double A after he was promoted from A ball. He struck out 67 but walked 60. He has an electric fastball but often struggles with his command.