Former Braves standout Kris Medlen dominates in Fire Frogs debut
Kris Medlen’s long-shot bid for a return ticket to the Atlanta Braves’ parent club is officially underway — and he wasted zero time in grabbing attention.
The former Braves standout, who signed a minor-league deal with Atlanta this past offseason while rehabbing from shoulder injuries, tossed six shutout innings in his debut with the High-A Florida Fire Frogs on Saturday night.
The right-hander allowed just one hit and three walks while fanning three Palm Beach batters. He threw 49 strikes on 80 pitches and nixed two baserunners by inducing double-play balls.
It was Medlen’s first appearance in a Braves uniform since the 2014 spring training outing where he suffered a major elbow injury that eventually led to his second career Tommy John surgery.
Over the past two seasons, the 31-year-old has pitched for the Kansas City Royals, though shoulder issues limited his playing time and effectiveness last season. Medlen. did not receive an invite to Atlanta’s spring training as he worked his way back to full health.
He’s now four years removed from his second-half run during the 2012 campaign when he was one of MLB’s best starters, rattling off Madduxian numbers en route to the postseason: 0.97 ERA in 12 starts with 84 strikeouts and 10 walks. Medlen returned to post 2.5 wins above replacement with a 3.48 fielding-independent pitching the next season.
Kissimmee, Fla., remains a long way from SunTrust Park, but Kris Medlen is at least following the right roadmap.
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