Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - The Houston Astros announced Friday that pitchers Mark Appel and Raul Valdes have undergone successful surgeries.
Appel had an appendectomy and Valdes is coming off arthroscopic procedure on his left knee. The former is expected to recover in time to report to spring training on Feb. 15, while the latter faces a 4-to-6 week recovery period.
Appel, a Stanford product, was taken with the first overall pick in the 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He went 10-4 with four complete games and a 2.12 ERA as a senior, compiling 130 strikeouts in 106 1/3 innings and holding opposing hitters to a .203 batting average.
Valdes was claimed off waivers from the Phillies on Oct. 2. The 36-year-old left-hander finished 1-1 with a 7.46 ERA in 17 appearances last season.
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