Major League Baseball

Braves let Medlen, Beachy go free

Published Dec. 2, 2014 6:54 p.m. ET

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ATLANTA (AP) Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy are becoming free agents following decisions by the Atlanta Braves not to offer 2015 contracts to the right-handers, both recovering from their second Tommy John surgeries.

The Braves also did not offer a contract to right-hander Gus Schlosser before Tuesday night's deadline.

Once considered rising stars in the rotation, Medlen and Beachy did not pitch in 2014 after they had ligament-replacement surgeries during spring training.

Medlen won a combined 25 games in 2012 and 2013. He excelled as a reliever and starter in 2012, when he was 10-1 with a 1.56 ERA.

Beachy had his first surgery early in the 2012 season and struggled in 2013, when he was 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA.

Schlosser had a 7.14 ERA in 15 games last season.

The Braves are expected to open the 2015 season with Julio Teheran, Mike Minor, Alex Wood and newly acquired Shelby Miller as their top four starting pitchers. Atlanta dealt right fielder Jason Heyward and reliever Jordan Walden to the Cardinals last month for Miller and a minor leaguer.

Medlen and Beachy had been considered candidates to contend for the fifth spot in the rotation by May or June, assuming they had successful recoveries from their surgeries. The Braves chose not to take the financial gambles on arbitration with the two right-handers.

Medlen earned $5.8 million this year and Beachy $1.45 million. Either could negotiate a new deal with Atlanta as a free agent.

Ervin Santana and Aaron Harang became a free agent after completing a $14.1 million, one-year contract. He did not accept a $15.3 million qualifying offer from Atlanta.

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