Kris Medlen geared-up to solve Atlanta Braves bull-pen concerns – MLB News
The Atlanta Braves have positively found a problem to their growing bull-pen concerns for the postseason as Kris Medlen is lined-up for a live batting practice session on Saturday, September 17 for the first time in 13 months.
Medlen underwent Tommy John surgery on August 18, 2010 and had targeted a return in August this year, but soreness in his elbow during mid-July held him back for another five weeks. He was diagnosed with a scar tissue breakup and hence was injected with
platelet-rich plasma which has since helped his recovery.
The evidence of his recovery was a bull-pen session on Wednesday, September 14, the fifth in the past 11 days. After the session, Medlen commented that the pain has subsided and now it is just a matter of time before he gets back into rhythm. He expressed
his intentions of speeding up the recovery and possibly playing a game or two before the regular season ends, so as to make himself available for the postseason rotation.
Medlen has been on the 60-day disabled list since the onset of this season and hence qualifies to be a part of Atlanta’s postseason roster. He has not played a single game in the 2011 season but his career statistics suffice his selection, if he remains
fit.
The right-handed pitcher was primarily a relief pitcher but has started 18 games out of the 68 he has featured in. As a starter, Medlen has managed a win-loss record of 9-7 which, from every aspect, is impressive.
The Braves are targeting him to pitch against the left-handed batters in a relief role. There are two essential reasons for this proposition. Firstly, left-handed specialist George Sherrill has been ruled out with an elbow injury and secondly, Medlen restricted
the left-handers to an average of .183 when he pitched deep in the game.
Atlanta’s manager Frank Wren, however, refrained from getting excited and said, “We are progressing him with no expectations other than if he pitches at the end of the season, we will then consider how he fits.”
Braves had earlier suffered a gust when Jair Jurrjens was ruled out of the postseason play and the bull-pen was subsequently short on pitching options. Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor are still young to the Majors and hence cannot be entrusted the starting
position.
Tim Hudson, Derek Lowe and Tommy Hanson are skilled enough to guide Atlanta through the Divisional Series but an extra pitcher is a requisite for the Championship Series and Medlen is a worthy option, given that he gains strength on his elbow ligament.
Moreover, Hanson has been prone to injury throughout the season and hence cannot be relied upon to last through the postseason. Medlen’s return will surely bolster the bull-pen and give them the required appetite to march all the way.
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