Kris Medlen made his return from a two-week assignment trip to Triple A Gwinnett where he was to work on getting stretched out for an Atlanta return to the starting rotation. However, Medlen was back in the Braves bullpen on Friday night and it looks like that is where he will remain at least for the time being.
When the Braves send Medlen down both Mike Minor and Randall Delgado were struggling. Both have pitched better of late and suddenly Atlanta has a huge hole in its bullpen that they are hoping that Medlen can help fill. Jonny Venters has struggled to get anyone out of late and Eric O'Flaherty has been sidelined with a sore elbow.
Medlen entered Friday's game in the seventh and pitched two scoreless innings while allowing one hit to Adam Jones who he quickly picked off of first.
Typically you don't see the Braves do an about face the way they did with Medlen in this instance but it is probably the right move. To make room on the roster Atlanta cut ties with Livan Hernandez. Medlen admitted some disappointment at leaving for two weeks only to return to the same role but once again expressed his willingness to do whatever he needed to make the team better.
"It's a little disheartening I guess because I went down there to be a starter," Medlen said. "But things happen and they make plans and they don't always work out. My entire career has been based on doing what I can for the team to help us win. Winning makes everything a lot better. I'll do anything. I'm back in the bullpen and I'm going to make the most out of that."
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