Kris Medlen Demoted for Promotion to Rotation
May 29, 2012 at 4:41 pm by David Lee under Atlanta Braves, Transactions
Mark Bowman knew what he was talking about. As he predicted this morning, Kris Medlen has been demoted to Triple-A Gwinnett in order to stretch his arm to return to the Atlanta rotation. He should make two to three starts at Gwinnett before entering the Braves rotation.
Medlen currently has a 3.49 ERA and 3.69 xFIP in 28.1 relief innings. His strikeout rate is down at 15 percent, but he’s getting more balls on the ground and his line drive rate has remained steady. Part of the lack of strikeouts could be the increase in fastballs thrown as a reliever, as he doesn’t have the fastball or deception to earn a high whiff rate on the pitch. Medlen will likely up his changeup and curveball usage as he returns to the rotation.
This could still mean my theory of skipping Mike Minor on Thursday may happen in order to take advantage of missing Minor’s struggles and allowing Medlen the extra time to prepare in the minors. But optioning Minor as the corresponding move when Medlen is promoted may not be 100 percent certain, as there is also the possibility of Randall Delgado being the odd man out. However, if I had to bank on it right now, Minor would get my vote based on how he has looked over his past couple starts.
In a corresponding move for demoting Medlen right now, outfielder Jose Constanza was promoted to Atlanta and is in the lineup in left field batting ninth tonight. This is meant to spell the bench some, as Freddie Freeman still remains sidelined, Eric Hinske is being forced to play everyday, and Matt Diaz shouldn’t start against right-handed pitchers. On the other hand, Constanza should never start, so it’s basically giving everyone else a breather.
Ben approved of Medlen getting a shot in the rotation. I also mentioned a possible Medlen promotion in today’s news post. The other move Bowman predicted could happen is the promotion of Andrelton Simmons, but there has been no indication of a move yet.
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“On the other hand, Constanza should never start.” LMAO
This should replace the “Fredi gonna Fredi” sub-title.
Juan Francisco has actually started doing something productive the last couple of games and he gets benched in favor of Jose Constanza! Constanza is a complete bum! He makes Matt Diaz look like gold!
But so glad Medlen will finally be put back in the starting rotation. And I’ve took up for Pastornicky long enough. His bat is no longer allowing me to excuse his horrible defense. Bring on Simmons!
Frank Wren should have learned his lesson by now. Never, EVER call up Jose Constanza because Fredi will start him. He will start him instead of Juan Francisco, whose bat has actually started to heat up. He probably will be dumb enough to give him a start over Jason Heyward in RF.
I agree with the Medlen move, but calling up Constanza is a joke.
Thank goodness they didn’t lock up Heyward to a long term deal…
That go ahead run he manufactured last night begs to differ with your assessment. The guy has always seemed like an offensive spark plug to me and I truly don’t understand the hard on for his demise you guys seem to have?
You don’t? Maybe it’s because he finished last season going 4-for-31 (.129) and that even though he went 1-for-3 last night that makes him 1-for-6 this season. So that means he’s currently in a 5-for-37 (.139) rut at the ML level. Add to the fact that his only tool is speed.
Welcome back Georgie! Here’s to the softball slap hit!
You know, I do need some new “bat licking” gifs. One can never have too many of those.
I just can’t see a good enough reason to bring constanza back up. The logical move to me is bring up a reliever to replace Medlen in the pen. I think Gearrin’s numbers should have more than earned him a spot in the majors, but I’ve completely given up on this FO from making logical decisions.
I thought it would be Gearrin too. He only had 2 games last season that bombed his numbers. Take those 2 horrific games against the Rockies and Phillies out and his numbers last season were really good.
If you have to bring up a bat why not Gartrell who has been pretty good the past few 5 weeks or so after struggling out the gates, as opposed to the uselessness that is Georgie?
Constanza gets a hit, thats the whole thing fucked as now frediot will pencil him in through to September! I am watching this game very nervously, if we dont stop this streak I cannot cope much longer!! The tide will turn and Stevie Wonder will see again at first base. Go braves!
“Watch me manage.” – Frediot
I’m pretty sure Gearrin will get the call-up when Boscan goes back down, which will happen as soon as Ross is good to go (day-to-day)
Guys, the reason a bat was pulled up and not a reliever is simply due to the circumstances surrounding this move. Our bench has been forced to start or is also hurt, meaning we have NO bench(Jack Wilson is not a bench worthy bat, sorry)
Yes yes yes….Medlen. Every 5th day we are going to get a good start…I LOVE it.
First of all what did any Brave do in their final 31 at bats last year? Secondly, he hurt his ankle and prior to that he spent a month getting on base every night. Lastly, Freddie looks a lot smarter than the Constanza naysayers so far tonight.