Mark Appel, a former No. 1 overall pick, was designated for assignment by the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.
The Phillies now have seven days to either trade him or place him on irrevocable waivers.
The 26-year-old right-hander was the No. 1 pick in the 2013 draft by the Astros, who traded him to the Phillies in 2015 in a multiplayer trade that sent closer Ken Giles to Houston.
Appel has yet to pitch in the majors in five seasons at multiple levels. Overall, he is 24-18 with a 5.06 ERA in 375u2153 innings pitched over 81 games (78 starts).