54 Kris Medlen, SP

Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen, who had not allowed an earned run in his previous two starts, took a step back as he was pegged with his seventh loss of the season Friday night against the Giants. Medlen (3-7) was shelled for four runs on nine hits while striking out four in six innings in a 6-0 defeat.

Medlen has allowed three runs or more in three of his last five starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at home against the Mets. He allowed three runs over six innings in his previous meeting against the Mets on May 24.

With Brandon Beachy nearing a return from Tommy John surgery, rumors of Kris Medlen's possible return to the Braves' bullpen are growing louder. Medlen made it known Monday that he would prefer not to return to the bullpen, as he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"I'll let it be known that I don't want to go down there," Medlen said. "I don't. At all. But it's out of my hands. I mean, if it happens, obviously it happens. I'm a team player."

Medlen has experience pitching out of the bullpen, and he understands that makes him a more likely option than Beachy to leave the rotation. Beachy has never pitched out of the bullpen, and was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 13 starts before suffering his elbow injury last season.

"It does not make any sense for him to go to the pen," Medlen said. "It's the same mound and whatever else, but it's a different job, different mindset. Build him up just to put him in the pen?"

Medlen has a 2.87 ERA in his first 13 starts this season, and has a 2.92 ERA in 90 appearances as a reliever at the major-league level.

Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen is off to a great start in June, winning his first two starts this month. Medlen has allowed one unearned run on 12 hits and one walk, while striking out 12 in 13 2/3 innings.

He's beginning to once again look like the pitcher who had a 0.97 ERA in 12 starts last year.

"I wouldn't say I feel like I did last year, but I feel more consistent than I did in my first five, six or seven starts this year," Medlen said, per MLB.com.

Braves starter Kris Medlen turned in a dominant performance as he picked up his third win of the season Saturday night against the Dodgers.

Medlen (3-6) pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings and helped his cause with his first career home run. He took starter Stephen Fife deep for a solo home run in the fifth inning, giving his club a two-run lead. The right-hander surrendered just five hits and one walk while striking out six in a 2-1 victory.  

Medlen has allowed just one unearned combined in his last two starts (13 2/3 innings pitched). He is scheduled to make his next start Friday at home against the Giants. He is 1-3 with a 2.31 ERA in six starts at home.