In a piece he wrote for this month’s issue of Chop Talk magazine, Kris Medlen writes that he is indifferent between starting and relieving:

I honestly don’t have a preference between starting and relieving. I like pitching. I’m a versatile guy, and I just want to be in a position to help my team. I want the guys to trust me with that job.

Honestly, this puff piece doesn’t tell us much. What’s he going to say? That he hates relieving and demands to be traded if he’s not returned to his starting role?

Medlen as a starter: 18 1/3 IP, 19 K, 11 BB, 6.38 ERA
Medlen as a reliever: 49 1/3 IP, 53 K, 19 BB, 3.47 ERA

As a reliever in 2009, Medlen was used thirteen times for two or more innings, seemingly leaving open the possibility of an eventual return to the rotation. I’ve mentioned before that I think handcuffing Medlen to Tommy Hanson’s starts for a long relief role would be a creative way to limit Hanson’s innings in just his second major league season.

Last night in his major league debut Kris Medlen lasted only 3 innings giving up 5 runs. It wasn’t a good game for the Braves as they failed to score a single run. I don’t have much to say…other than get em next time Medlen. Braves face Roy Halladay and the first place Toronto Blue Jays tonight at 7:30 pm at Turner Field. Go BRaves!!! Ohhh BTW Kenishin Kawakami is pitching tonight for the Braves!

Last Nights Box Score

Tonight Braves prospect Kris Medlen will make his major league debut against Aaron Cook and the Colorado Rockies at 7:00 PM. GO BRAVES! and Good Luck to Kris Medlen!

Braves starter pitched 5 scoreless innings, striking out 6 and not walking a batter. The Braves once again had the bats going, they beat the Colorado Rockies 12-4 tonight. The Braves offense has found their way in the last 2 games tonight, knocking Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa around for 7 runs in only 3.2 innings of work. It was his worst start of the season. But enough about the Rockies poor pitching lets talk about the Braves offense.

For the Braves Yunel Escobar went 2-4 including a 3-run HR in the 4th inning where he plated 3. Outfielder Matt Diaz had 3 hits, including a triple, and scored 4 times for the Braves. Also for the Braves Jeff Francouer went 1-3 with 2 RBI’s and 2 runs, David Ross(who played catcher for Brian McCann tonight) had  RBI’s, and Jordan Scahfer also had 2 RBI’s to bring his season total up to 8.

This is good sign for the Braves who had been struggling to get runs, but while I agree this is good that we not look to far into it as the Rockies pitching is far below average. But hell we’ll take the win and the success of the offense. Just a note Jeff Franocuer saved a spot on my fantasy team tonight with a solid performance. Braves and Rockies play the final game of the series tomorrow at 7:00 Pm as Kris Medlen will make his major league debut for the Braves. GO BRAVES!

Tonight’s Box Score

The Braves have decided to call up right handed pitcher Kris Medlen and not Tommy Hanson, to replace the struggling Jo-Jo Reyes today.

From the article:  Right-handed pitching prospect Kris Medlen will make his major-league debut Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies, in place of the struggling Jo-Jo Reyes. Braves manager Bobby Cox announced the decision Friday afternoon. The Braves will move Reyes to the bullpen. Medlen has a 5-0 record with a 0.96 ERA for Class AAA Gwinnett, sizzling numbers to get him the nod over his teammate and fellow prospect Tommy Hanson, who is 1-3 with a 1.99 ERA.

It will be interesting to see how long this move lasts and also how well Medlen does in his first start. The move of replacing Jo-Jo Reyes isn’t a surprise, but a think the surprise is that the Braves called up Medlen and not Hanson. For Medlens spot, we are not sure if he will replace James Parr or someone else who might go on the DL, well know more sooner.

We will be tracking his progress in the upcoming weeks.

The Original Article