Kris Medlen impresses in first MLB appearance after 13 months – MLB News
Kris Medlen made a marked return to professional baseball for Atlanta Braves after almost 13 months against Washington Nationals on Sunday, September 25 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
Medlen came on in relief in the eighth inning and threw a perfect seven-pitch inning to announce his return to the mound. However, the Braves had already conceded three runs before Medlen came on, reducing odds for him to have a significant impact on the
game.
Medlen underwent Tommy John surgery in August last year after an elbow injury had kept him away from the game. He made his last appearance on August 4, 2010 but has since been on the disabled list. After a stretch of bull-pen sessions and a few Instructional
League games, Medlen was activated on Saturday, September 24 to feature in the remaining games of the season.
The right-handed pitcher was scheduled to make a comeback in August this year, but reoccurrence of pain in mid-July forced him to stay out for another five weeks. Now, however, he has thoroughly justified his fitness and is in-line to be in Atlanta’s bull-pen
for the post-season, if the team qualifies.
Medlen has been effective against left-handed batters and he explained exactly how in his short, yet effective spell. He hushed Danny Espinosa and Roger Bernadina with his methodical changeups and the odd fastball.
Praising Medlen’s effort, manager Fredi Gonzalez said, "It was nice to see him with all his hard work and the setback he had earlier this summer to pitch in a Major League game."
With Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters and Eric O’Flaherty at the helm of Atlanta’s bull-pen, a strong performance can now be assured in the post-season. Kimbrel and Venters showed signs of exhaustion lately but have resurfaced after a lean patch.
With Medlen back in the ranks, the Braves will now have a range of quality pitchers to work through the innings. Kimbrel can be relied upon to provide a near-perfect closing while Venters and O’Flaherty can work together with Medlen in the middle innings.
George Sherrill is expected to be activated in a couple of days after spending the entire past month on disabled list due to a painful left elbow. If the Braves go through, they might be up for even the strongest of challengers.
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