Mark Appel scheduled to make first start Friday

Astros pitching prospect Mark Appel is scheduled to make his spring debut Friday, likely in a minor-league game, MLB.com reports.

"I’m really excited," Appel said. "It’s going to be good to actually toe the rubber in a Spring Training game. It’s been a long time coming, so I’m real excited and grateful to have the opportunity to go out and compete with my teammates."

Appel has been recovering from a January appendectomy, which has kept him sidelined thus far.