Kris

Medlen

Medlen, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, was shut down in mid-July due to lingering soreness in his surgically-repaired elbow. He recently resumed his throwing program, but would have to pitch in a regular season game in order to be considered for the postseason roster.

It signifies a significant step for Medlen, who was shut down in mid-July after developing scar tissue in his surgically-repaired elbow. The Braves haven’t ruled him out as a possibility for the postseason roster, but it will only happen if he can manage to make a couple of appearances before the end of the regular season.

Working his way back from Tommy John surgery, Medlen threw one inning in an instructional league game Friday and is ready to help out in the bullpen. It’s possible he could make the NLDS roster if he shows well over the final few games.

“I think I’m more of a security blanket in case 14 injuries [to starting pitchers] happen,” Medlen said. “I keep getting asked what I want to do, and you obviously know the answer. But I know my role, which is to be a bullpen guy or a backup starter. I’ve accepted it and whatever. I’m ready to play baseball. That’s pretty much it.” Medlen, 25, was effective in 14 starts during the 2010 season, but is just a year removed from Tommy John surgery. He returned to make two relief appearances in September.

Jayson Werth homered off him, but he struck out two and walked none. The Braves would prefer to keep Medlen in the pen, but he is a rotation option if neither Randall Delgado nor Julio Teheran looks ready to step in for Tim Hudson. Both youngsters were lit up by the Tigers on Sunday.

He is expected to follow Kris Medlen, who will start the game. Hanson threw live batting practice Sunday and Tuesday and is expected to do so again Thursday. The 25-year-old right-hander suffered a mild (Grade 1) concussion in a one-car accident early on in Braves’ camp, but he has passed all tests and appears to be back on track in his preparation for the new season.

His 7/6 K/BB ratio over 18 2/3 innings isn’t anything to write home about, but Medlen has given the Bravos some good work this season. Mike Minor and Randall Delgado have been inconsistent in the rotation, but Jair Jurrjens will likely get a spot back before Medlen gets a turn, so we’d expect the 26-year-ol to remain in the bullpen.

With neither Randall Delgado nor Julio Teheran really impressing so far, Medlen may yet start the season in the rotation for the Braves. They’d prefer to use him out of the pen, but they may not feel they have the luxury to do so.

A marked improvement from his first outing, Medlen allowed four hits while striking out four and walking none. He threw 40 out of 58 pitches for strikes. The 26-year-old right-hander still needs a couple more starts to get stretched out, but he could be a real asset for the Braves’ rotation moving forward. Be sure to safely tuck him away in NL-only leagues and deeper mixed formats.

Both Minor and Delgado were rocked by the Red Sox in their last starts, and they’ve been awfully inconsistent this season. Gonzalez will roll with them for a while longer, though, rather than turn to Kris Medlen or Julio Teheran. “The last thing you want is to create panic,” Gonzalez said. “It’s not like you’re running [Jim] Palmer, [Mike] Cuellar and [Pat] Dobson out there. You’re going to go through some growing pains. You’ve got to stay patient with these young pitchers and keep going.”