The Diamondbacks have agreed to a minor-league deal with righty Kris Medlen, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter). He’ll have an opt-out opportunity on March 27th if he’s not added to the MLB roster. If he is, Medlen can earn $1.1MM for the coming season.
Medlen, who is now 32 years of age, had returned to the Braves organization in 2017 as he continued to attempt to get his career back on track. He made twenty starts in the minors, but failed to receive an opportunity at the game’s highest level in Atlanta. Through 94 2/3 innings at Triple-A, Medlen carried a 5.42 ERA With 8.0 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9.
Once a quality starter for the Braves, Medlen saw his career derailed by successive Tommy John surgeries. He made it back to the majors with the Royals after missing all of the 2014 season, showing some promise in his first year with Kansas City. But Medlen stumbled in 24 1/3 MLB innings in 2016, allowing 21 earned runs while handing out twenty free passes in a season marred by shoulder issues.
For Arizona, Medlen becomes the latest hurler to join on with a chance to compete for a bullpen spot in camp. It’s also possible he could function as a starter, of course, though the odds would appear to be stacked against him making the team in that role.
bigjonliljon
This is what it’s come too. Got stove signings of Medlen. Lmao
RunDMC
Venters getting a shot with TB, Minor reviving his career in KC/TEX — good for these guys who have a half-dozen TJ surgeries between them.
slowcurve
Where is Beachy currently? Too lazy to look it up.
shoemtnlions
Pretty sure he’s retired
c1234
Stop the sarcastic crap he’s actually decent.
wrigleywannabe
right, like these signings have never happened in past years
gelo
This guy was so good in Atlanta to start his career. I would love to see him get back on track after the TJ surgeries.
RunDMC
Med Dog! I hope he puts it together somewhat similar to Minor. Looks like he’ll most likely be a long reliever/spot starter.
slowcurve
I remember him absolutely dealing in 2012, and getting the nod in the WC game. Didn’t work out for him in that game, not really his fault. All sorta went downhill from there. Got to watch a live bullpen session and warmup for a start in Orlando in 2013. Last time I saw him live.
bosox90
Ah, the famous “infield fly rule” game. I really felt bad for the Braves on that one.
southi
Yep by far the longest infield fly that we have hard data on. (Wish I still had the link to the article with an in-depth discussion about it)
BigFred
mlb.com/news/infield-fly-ruling-disrupts-cardinals…
Logan10braves
Wild Card game was a heart breaker. I was at the game and got showered with beer from fans throwing things on to the field.
slowcurve
I was there too. I was really ashamed of my hometown that night. C’mon y’all. Glad I was there though. It’s definitely a memory.
jdgoat
In theory there could be a ball hit to the warning track that could be considered an infield fly
deal1122
What a shame the way his career ended up. I remember the braves winning 20 straight starts with him and then it all went wrong in that wild card game
layventsky
Too bad there isn’t a way to report such comments in the app.
layventsky
This was in response to a spam comment which has apparently been deleted. Carry on.