The Braves have activated starter Tommy Hanson off the 15-day disabled list and optioned reliever Cory Gearrin to Triple-A Gwinnett, the club announced Friday via Twitter.
Hanson returns from a back strain to join Atlanta's new six-man rotation, constructed to allow both Hanson and new addition Kris Medlen to pitch out of the rotation. Medlen has thrown 80 innings with a 2.03 ERA this season. Even though most of those innings come out of the bullpen (a generally easier task than starting), Medlen's numbers as a starter alone are even more impressive: four starts, 25.2 innings, 22 strikeouts, four walks and a 1.05 ERA.
Hanson has struggled this season, sporting career worsts in both ERA (4.29) and FIP (4.63). Specifically, the home run ball has killed him -- Hanson has allowed 19 in 22 starts.
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