Nine years after being the very first player selected in the 2013 draft, pitcher Mark Appel will have the opportunity to play in major league baseball for the very first time.

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The 30-year-old has been recalled from the minors as the Philadelphia Phillies will call on his services, interim team manager Rob Thomson said Friday night.

Injuries forced Appel to put his career on hold in 2018. He returned in 2021 and has been dominant with academy Lehigh Valley this season. He went 5-0 with a 1.61 points-against average.

"I am in shock. I have so many thoughts that I would like to share, but I can't find the words, so I'll just say this: I'm grateful. Today I have the opportunity to play a game that I love as a major league baseball player,” wrote the right-hander on his Twitter account on Saturday morning.

Appel was first drafted by the No. 8 Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012. However, he never wore the team's uniform, preferring to make himself available at the next auction after another season in the ranks. academics. It was the Houston Astros who this time set their sights on the American, with the very first turn.

When retiring at the age of 26, after his performance had declined, he said he was at peace with the idea of ​​being considered “the biggest fiasco in the history of the draft”.

With reliever Connor Brogdon placed on the absentee list due to COVID-19, the Phillies may need Call-Up on Saturday night against the San Diego Padres.