Phillies announce 40-man roster moves, DFA Mark Appel

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 12: Mark Appel #26 of the U.S. Team throws a pitch against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at the Great American Ball Park on July 12, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 12: Mark Appel #26 of the U.S. Team throws a pitch against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at the Great American Ball Park on July 12, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Mark Appel was a major piece of the Phillies trade involving Vince Velasquez and Ken Giles

The Phillies made several roster moves Monday night in an effort to trim their 40-man roster down prior to the 8 p.m. deadline.

Both pitchers Mark Appel and Alberto Tirado were designated for assignment and are eligible to be claimed on waivers. Appel, the first overall pick in 2013 MLB Draft, was acquired in the Ken Giles trade with Houston prior to the 2016 season. Injuries have derailed his career for years, and he was held to just 17 starts in 2017 for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Tirado, 22, pitched as high as Double-A Reading in his career with Philadelphia as both a starter and reliever. His cumulative ERA last season hit 4.07 and surpassed 6.00 in Reading.

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With Appel and Tirado off the 40-man roster, the club added RHPs Seranthony Domínguez, Franklyn Kilomé & José Taveras, and LHP Ranger Suárez to the 40-man roster. Kilome is one of the organization’s top pitching prospects, while Dominquez, Suarez, and Taveras are also among the organization’s top-30 prospects.

Minor league infielder Engelb Vielma was claimed off waivers by Philadelphia from the San Francisco Giants 40-man roster overhaul. Vielma, 23, played in the Minnesota Twins organization last year and reached Triple-A Rochester, only to hit .206 in 87 games. He’d hit .286 in Double-A prior to his promotion.

Pitcher Elniery García was promoted to Triple-A to replace Appel after a strong season in Reading. The organization’s #18th ranked prospect made just seven starts between rookie ball and Reading, owning a 1.47 ERA.

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More roster moves are expected before the 8 p.m. deadline for 40-man rosters. Outfielder Cam Perkins and reliever Zac Curtis are in danger of losing their 40-man roster spots.