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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
170 comments Add your comment
Chip Shot
August 4th, 2010
11:40 pm
well if he’s in AA right now(probably AAA before seasons end) and he has a good spring for us in 2011 then we have some luxury as far as the rotation is concerned.
Gil In Mechanicsville
August 4th, 2010
11:43 pm
Steve, Jurrjens high ERA is primarily because of his poor start while trying to pitch through an injury at the beginning of the season.
That said, KK seems to draw the brunt of the poor run support. That said, he had not looked all that sharp in his last several starts.
Biff Pocaroba
August 4th, 2010
11:45 pm
Real: For the same reason Freeman isn’t here. They won’t rush the kids. Bobby would rather rely on experience in a pennant race than untested youngsters. He has a track record a mile long. And there’s something to be said for that in many instances. On the other hand, the organization didn’t follow that thinking a year ago when it gave the ball to Tommy Hanson and not Tommy Glavine. But I say again, Milwood is just the type of pitcher Cox would accept in this situation: familiarity, experience, cheap. But he has nothing left.
hAL
August 4th, 2010
11:49 pm
trade haystack for ted lilly
Jeff
August 4th, 2010
11:49 pm
Freeman and Minor time WOOOOHOOO, WE ARE SEEING THE FUTURE SOON!!!!!
The Real Gwinnett Braves Bible.com
August 4th, 2010
11:51 pm
Biff,
I agree that Cox prefers expereince, but the fact that KK’s face has been seen on the side of milk cartons recently make me think that Cox has no faith in him.
We will see in a day or two
The Real Gwinnett Braves Bible.com
August 4th, 2010
11:55 pm
I’ll be shocked if Minor doesnt get the call. The kid can flat out pitch.
Puma
August 5th, 2010
12:03 am
I agree with someones comments regarding KK not having innings being Cox’ fault. Why didn’t he come in tonight when Medlin went down, because he hasn’t pitched in a month? If there is no plan for him to pitch at all, why does he continue to take up a roster spot.
What is there game plan with KK if he isn’t going to be the 5th starter now? To keep taking up a spot in the bullpen? I am a big Cox fan, but Braves have managed to turn a relative asset in KK to something worth absolutely nothing. I am sure they will trade him in the off season while eating most of his salary.
I think they’ll start Ventors, he could be a great starter. Problem there is then Dunn is the only lefty left in the pen. Although he looked alright tonight.
Yard Dog
August 5th, 2010
12:12 am
I know this doesn’t have to do with Medlen but just want to say that georgia tech graduates are geeks!
oh no
August 5th, 2010
12:16 am
This couldn’t of been a worse time.. the phils have won 11 out of 13
MiniTank
August 5th, 2010
12:25 am
Gwinnett Braves….what kinda pitcher is Minor? Hard thrower?….what are his specialty pitches?
Rufio
August 5th, 2010
12:27 am
If in 30 days time and the 5th starter is now gone and BC is hesitant about using KK then they should go ahead and release KK. BC is stating he has zero confidence in the man. With the exception of April, KK pitched very well for us the beginning of the year. In fact, he had the same era avg as last year during May and June. It is not his fault that the offense can’t get runs for him.
The next 3 starts are against Houston,Dodgers and Cubs. All three clubs are not having outstanding years. In fact, if KK and the Braves offense can’t beat Houston they should cut him. Shame on Roger Mcdowell for not keeping him on a program to stay stretched out in case such an emergency should arise. After all, he is the long relief guy!
John
August 5th, 2010
12:29 am
I like Kruks idea on Baseball Tonight…..he thinks that when he got hit in the elbow in his last start while batting it did more damage than they thought and that maybe some blood vessels popped or somthing like that. It would make since because Medlen said he didnt feel a pop but a burning sensation.
MitchC
August 5th, 2010
12:44 am
Give Minor a shot. A team in a pennant race, with the Phillies charging as hard as they are, and winning every day, simply cannot have a guy like KK in their regular pitching rotation. We already know that KK is awful. Minor is the unknown. So, call him up, and hope he can give us some good quality efforts like Medlen did. He doesnt have to be an ace, just a back of the rotation starter.
I feel bad for Medlen. TJ surgery costs a lot of time if he needs it. The only “positive” is, that, he’s still young, and guys like Smoltz and Hudson, were/are sometimes much better after TJ surgery than they were before it. He may come back even better than before.
I will know Bobby has lost it if he gives the ball to KK every fifth day. He should try every available option at starter, before turning to KK. He is a LAST resort, really!
john norris
August 5th, 2010
12:56 am
Frank wren please claim a righthanded bat
we are still strugleing against lefthanded pitchers
and bring fredi freeman up and mike minor
and bobby cox please hit and run more
we will score more runs cannot lose
Tayler
August 5th, 2010
1:16 am
The people that are dissing Medlen must not have truly watched him pitch. The guy has 6 wins and only 2 losses, one came from which they experimented with him as a relief pitcher which is not his forte. Tonight his pitching was insanely good, his first two batters were struck out and he continued the work throughout the fifth inning. And I would like to point out, after Hudson, he is the second best batter for a pitcher. The kid has skill. If the surgery does happen to be the choice, then I hope the Braves will accept him back next year because Bobby has seemed sort of iffy with Medlen.
Meanwhile, Kawakami hasn’t pitched near good enough this year to put him back in the line-up. i agree, he has nights where he has some good pitches, but there aren’t enough to win a game which is what we need with the Phillies following us so closely. I don’t know much about Minor, but if Medlen goes disabled (which I pray he doesn’t), he can’t be near as bad as Kawakami.
Kawakami needs to be sent down to AAA with Mclouth because neither have preformed even half as good as they should playing at a major league level.
Logic Dictates
August 5th, 2010
4:58 am
LOLOLOL@ all the people who say Kenshin Kawakami has to replace Kris Medlen’s production. Just roll with the punches and stop crying so much.
Mr. Webster
August 5th, 2010
6:31 am
Some of you are seriously blaming BC for Medlen’s injury by using him in relief? We had a day off and his turn was skipped, so it as good as a side session. Some of you are just plain silly, looking to blame Bobby for everything. Go ahead and blame him for the oil spill, the making of Godfather III, and ruining Scooby-Doo by bringing Scrapp-Doo aboard.
Braves Defeat Mets 8-3, Pitcher Kris Medlen Injured | Tomahawk Take | An Atlanta Braves Blog
August 5th, 2010
6:57 am
[...] mood as Kris Medlen left the game with one out in the fifth inning with an injury to his elbow. Braves beat writer David O’Brien reports that it is an injury to the Ulnar Collateral Ligament which worst case scenario could spell Tommy [...]
E
August 5th, 2010
6:58 am
They should not have had that interview with KK yesterday on “I did not come here to be a reliever”.
901Braves
August 5th, 2010
7:24 am
Lets hope for the best with Medlin but for now its prob gonna have to be a AAA call up…that aside consider this: the Nats just put Adam Dunn on waviers….why not pick him up? we could pine Glaus possibly to PH..itl cost us a pretty penny but may be just wat we need.
Mr. Webster
August 5th, 2010
7:24 am
Who’s Medlin?
901Braves
August 5th, 2010
7:28 am
A typo.
901Braves
August 5th, 2010
7:29 am
Any thoughts on Adam Dunn?
jo
August 5th, 2010
7:36 am
special KK cant play
papadawg
August 5th, 2010
7:40 am
All I can say is DAMN
joedub
August 5th, 2010
7:44 am
i don’t know why i keep reading past the article to the crappy blog sections here…i think 90% of the people on here are absolutely cluesless. Example:
“john norris Frank wren please claim a righthanded bat
we are still strugleing against lefthanded pitchers
and bring fredi freeman up and mike minor
and bobby cox please hit and run more
we will score more runs cannot lose”
@john norris hahahaha we are struggling against lefty’s, so bring up a left-handed rookie to take over glaus’ spot (not that i disagree, but your logic is insane!!)
what the hell is wrong with you people??
WTF
August 5th, 2010
8:35 am
Thanks Cueto
BravesFan
August 5th, 2010
8:39 am
Come on FW, you made the right moves all along, please make it here. Mike Minor please!
Braves20
August 5th, 2010
8:49 am
Wren and Cox have seen enough of KK. He is this decade’s version of the 80’s Jose DeLeon who finished his career 33 games under .500 despite a career 3.75 ERA – including two seasons of 2-19 and 7-19. Some guys just can’t close the deal and win games. On the other hand, there’s Lowe who wins despite not so good numbers although his last start wasn’t too shabby.
BobtheBlogger
August 5th, 2010
9:31 am
I think Cox tipped his hand when he said KK hadn’t pitched in so long when answering the question about KK starting. I look for Minor to be called up. The Braves will continue to play with a 24 man team with KK being a permanent bench warmer.
GTSteve
August 5th, 2010
9:44 am
That said, KK seems to draw the brunt of the poor run support. That said, he had not looked all that sharp in his last several starts.
Really Gil, how about his LAST start…Jun 26th against Detroit. 7 innings 2 hits..yeah that is just horrible isn’t it
OCHOLOCOBRAVOS
August 5th, 2010
9:47 am
If BC wants to win it in his last season then he’ll bring up Minor, or atleast he’d be smart to. Look at the kids stats in the minors, granted the competition is less stellar than the majors, but the kids got madddd skillz, lol…
Not to mention we could benefit from having a lefty starter in the rotation – haven’t had one since GLAVINE!
GTSteve
August 5th, 2010
9:48 am
E, it’s not that they shouldn’t have done that interview, DOB shouldn’t have name the interview how he did. KK was very humble in the interview and had no problem with his new role, even though it really didn’t sound like the Braves had told him a whole lot…The naming of the interview really make KK look bad, but not the actual interview…The guy gave up 2 hits in 7 innings in his last start and had other outings where he really deserved to win. The offense, or lack of, and the defense has let him down this year.
OCHOLOCOBRAVOS
August 5th, 2010
9:51 am
Put it this way – When the NL East lead & our playoff hopes are on the line, who’d you rather have pitching to Ryan Howard in September, KK or Mike Minor???
P-Town Brave
August 5th, 2010
10:01 am
Hmm…anyone for Kyle Farnsworth ripping Cueto’s head off in the playoffs?
wjones
August 5th, 2010
10:05 am
OK, not that anyone reads anyone else’s posts on here, but here’s my thoughts:
1. Right now we have what amounts to a 23 man roster. Bobby will not use Ross as a pinch=hitter with McCann in the game, so that knocks our bench down to 12. KK only pitches when…well, he doesn’t pitch at all. Once he threw that two hitter in late June, he was only made one appearance. So presumably he only gets in a game when we go into extras and run out of pitchers.
2. KK is not going to be started because he “isn’t ready”. He isn’t going to be used in relieve because of a “trust factor”. He isn’t going to AAA because of a “contract factor”. I think it’s pretty obvious that he is one of the many players the Braves have put through waivers. So we have two choices here. If someone claims him, either make a trade with that team or just let them have him. If you can trade for a PTBNL, and get the team to pick up ANY salary, then great. If not, then it’s a sunk cost anyway and you clear a roster spot. Maybe even the Braves can pick up a useful player that has worn out his welcome elsewhere, like KK. Now if he ISN’T claimed, then the Braves can either make a deal with someone or just cut him. Surely SOMEONE wants a presumably healthy pitcher for the 5 spot in the rotation, and ANYTHING the Braves get is a plus. If you are never going to use him, it doesn’t help the player OR the team. Cut the losses, and open up the roster spot. And if Minor is the player you want to fill in, then there’s your roster spot. We can also call up another warm body who the Braves WANT to use to fill the 12th pitcher spot. We can debate whether they need a 12th pitcher for another day.
P-Town Brave
August 5th, 2010
10:13 am
I can tell you right now that no one is going to claim that contract…
The teams that have the money have better options, and the teams still in contention that could use him don’t have the money to afford that.
Tom Glavine
August 5th, 2010
10:56 am
Cancel the ceremony on Friday night….put me back in the rotation!!
Fantasy Baseball Blog at beondeck.com | Fantasy Baseball Advice
August 5th, 2010
10:59 am
[...] Medlen left his start in the fifth inning with a strained ulnar collateral ligament. He will have an MRI today. This could turn into Tommy John surgery. Medlen owners be prepared to [...]
News & Notes: August 5: Arencibia, Zambrano & More
August 5th, 2010
11:03 am
[...] Kris Medlen headed to the DL, Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (click here for the article), Mike Minor may be summoned from Triple-A to take his spot iin the rotation. He [...]
wjones
August 5th, 2010
11:06 am
P-Town Brave
“August 5th, 2010
10:13 am
I can tell you right now that no one is going to claim that contract…
The teams that have the money have better options, and the teams still in contention that could use him don’t have the money to afford that.”
Maybe not. Maybe the Braves have to eat half of it/most of it/all of it. What difference does it make if they aren’t going to use him? If he was injured or died tomorrow, they would have to eat it. What’s the difference? And who knows who will take a chance on him? He has pitched very well against a lot of MLB teams; maybe one of them would take him. My point is that he isn’t doing US any good, so playing “hard ball” would hardly be worth it.
Higgy
August 5th, 2010
11:27 am
Quick!!! Someone find Kawakami’s voodoo doll that he’s using against Medlin and get the pin out of Medlin’s arm!
submariner
August 5th, 2010
11:57 am
John Smoltz would make a better 5th than putting Minor in the fire too soon……and his playoff record is pretty damn good. He hasn’t officially retired has he? He’d come cheap to be a part of this potential last run for Cox and Jones….I’m thinking.
Smoltzy
August 5th, 2010
11:58 am
I’m In!!! I can be ready to go by October.
bravesfan
August 5th, 2010
12:09 pm
Anybody else think DOB jinxed Medlen with his article about KK?
scBravesfan
August 5th, 2010
12:30 pm
They are not going to start Venters. #1 – he’s been dominant out of the pen. #2 – he had problems in the minors as a starter the second/third time through the line-up.
Lamp
August 5th, 2010
12:48 pm
“Get Zambrano?” Heck no, I’d rather lose.
dpelfrey
August 5th, 2010
12:53 pm
Don’t need anybody. Minor’s ready enough to fill in every 5th day. Keep in mind Lowe, Jurrjens, Hudson and Hanson have all been pitching well lately. Not having Medlen won’t change the overall outcome this season. What will change the season outcome is if the Braves continue hitting under .200 with RISP.
Smedley McCool
August 5th, 2010
1:04 pm
if you’re a kid that has plans on becoming a MLB pitcher someday, go ahead and have Tommy John surgery when you’re around 17 or 18 and get it out of the way. Chances are you’re gonna have to have it later in your career anyway. This way you can have it taken care of early and learn to pitch around it.
Jay H.
August 5th, 2010
1:21 pm
Plus, if we put Smoltzy in as a 5th starter, it’ll get him out of the booth.
Roy Hobbs
August 5th, 2010
1:30 pm
Cox comment about KK not being ready because he has not pitched in so long is borderline mind numbing.
tyler nj brave
August 5th, 2010
1:41 pm
Yeah I don’t know about KK pitching. Yeah you can say his run support is horrible, but think about it his era is in the high 4’s. How many times did Bobby/ the bullpen bail him out of a sticky situation? I’m pretty sure it all evens out.
Bring up Minor
Put Glaus on the DL for rest and give Freeman a 2 week trial.
Kevin in Chatty
August 5th, 2010
1:50 pm
Is it not detrimental to the team to have Kawakami in the bullpen and not use him? I mean, shouldnt that last spot be used by someone who can take some of the load off of our other relievers?
curley, moe & larry
August 5th, 2010
1:55 pm
KK charts the games for Bobby. if you move him to starter, who is going to chart the pitches?? Think this thru people!
BraveFalconFan
August 5th, 2010
1:58 pm
Why not let Venters Start, that’s what he did in the minors
wjones
August 5th, 2010
2:00 pm
Smedley McCool
“August 5th, 2010
1:04 pm
if you’re a kid that has plans on becoming a MLB pitcher someday, go ahead and have Tommy John surgery when you’re around 17 or 18 and get it out of the way. Chances are you’re gonna have to have it later in your career anyway. This way you can have it taken care of early and learn to pitch around it.”
You might be saying that tongue in cheek, but I actually read an article a few months ago that told about some high school kids who were doing just that, thinking it would make them more draftable. Scary, isn’t it?
Atlanta Braves ‘appear poised’ to give LHP Mike Minor a look | Sports Righters
August 5th, 2010
2:10 pm
[...] Now, the actionable news: In the wake of the Medlen injury, 22-year-old pitching prospect Mike Minor could be in line for a promotion. [...]
Piedmont Blues
August 5th, 2010
2:25 pm
1) KK cannot be sent to the minors. It’s in his contract.
2) One reason the Braves may not call up Minor is that he’s already pitched 118 innings in this, his first full professional season. The team may not want to pencil him into the rotation if they were going to shut him down at about 150 innings or less anyway.
3) Venters is not going into the rotation this season (or at least not right away) because he’s been pitching an inning or so per outing. He’s not conditioned to throw five or six innings in one appearance and it would take a few weeks to get him ready for that.
4) I can’t fathom why KK hasn’t gotten some use in the past month. Makes no sense.
Savannah Seer
August 5th, 2010
2:30 pm
I hate to say this, but you could see Medlin’s injury coming. He started out relieving, then replaces KK as a starter. If memory serves, in games that Medlin started this year, the Braves did not lose ANY!!!!
Just before the break, they convert Medlin back to long relief, then back to starter. They had the guy going all over the place because WREN DOESN’T HAVE THE GUTS TO UNLOAD KK AND ADMIT HE GOT IT WRONG. Now we are forced to sit KK on the pines unless we are being blown out??
I thought we were trying to win something here, not satisfy contracts between inept pitchers and more inept GM’s!!!!
Chris Medlin deserved a far better fate, better management, and a better approach than what he was given. Cox has also blown out Wagner’s arm, and is doing the same thing to Hanson and Venters.
How many times have we seen Smoltz and Glavine and any reliever you’d like to remember, come into the stretch run and be completely out of gas or injured?? Far too many times for my tastes. That’s poor management in my eyes. And now, yet another good pitcher with a promising future goes down because they can’t figure out how to use this kid. He was good, very good!!!
As long as Wren and Cox are in charge, the carnage on our pitching staff will continue. What a damned shame!!! Lunacy!!!!!
Come back soon, Chris Medlin. You are a warrior!!! When you do, I trust that both Cox and Wren will not be here to greet you!!!
JMAYNE
August 5th, 2010
2:32 pm
I know why Kk hasnt been in any games, because bobby finally realizes that he sucks. Bring up Minor, let him fill in for a couple of starts and see how he does. Good audition for next year and he will be able to get some nerves out. Use off days to skip him and he should be good for the rest of the season. 32 innings before 150 (if thats the magic number) thats 5 or 6 starts. why not let him have them in atlanta.
Kentavo
August 5th, 2010
2:36 pm
Is Albie Lopez available?
John Smoltz
August 5th, 2010
2:43 pm
Guys, hello? Just because I’m telling lame jokes on Peachtree TV doesn’t mean I can still bring the heater.
Kentavo
August 5th, 2010
2:46 pm
The only heater you’re bringing is a portable one.
John Smoltz
August 5th, 2010
2:49 pm
good one Kentavo. Can I use some of your material on PT T.V.? I need to “one up” Ernie.
Medlen Getting MRI On Arm
August 5th, 2010
3:14 pm
[...] http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2010/08/04/medlen-leaves-wednesdays-start-with-elbow-ligame... Posted in Baseball, Recent News [...]
Mitchell
August 5th, 2010
3:36 pm
Can’t believe Medlen is out. Even if it ends up being one start it still sucks. That’s probably wishful thinking though.
I feel as confident in Medlen when he takes the mound as anybody on this team, maybe even more than Huddy.
If we’re talking about a first round series against the Cardinals even, I’d take Huddy, JJ and Medlen over anybody.
Of course, now I sound like a homer or perhaps like Baseball Tonight “expert” Chris Singleton who in a recent ESPN.com commentary said he’d “take Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels over Hudson, Jurrjens and Hanson any day.”
Sure, Halladay. Whatever. Can’t really argue with that, as good as Huddy is. Oswalt and Hamels? Yeah, I don’t think so. Have either one of those guys beaten us in the last two years?
I mean, as pathetic as that road trip was and as little faith I generally have in Bobby, last time I checked the Phillies are still looking up at us.
We absolutely should have swept the Mets. I mean, how do you take Lowe out after 79 pitches? That just shouldn’t happen. But whatever. Two out of three, right? At least we finally won a damn series so I guess I’m feeling a tiny bit more confident these days.
But you know all the pundits out there are lining up ready to pat themselves on the back the minute the Phillies take over first place. It hasn’t yet though, has it? Funny. Should be any day I guess. We’ve only been in first since May.
“But they’ve had so many injuries.” Like we haven’t. Give me a break.
It definitely does not suck to have a guy like Minor step in for Medlen but I’d so rather see Kris if we manage not to choke and finally make the playoffs. Huddy, JJ and Medlen in a short series would be legit.
It’s cross your fingers time.
Braves Face Tough Giants Rotation Four Times This Weekend | Tomahawk Take | An Atlanta Braves Blog
August 5th, 2010
4:58 pm
[...] we wait for word on Kris Medlen’s MRI results, the Braves face a tough series ahead by seeing four pitchers [...]
Braves Fan Since "80
August 5th, 2010
5:27 pm
LUCK OF THE DRAW…… Minor needs to learn what he needs t learn, hopefully not a lot. Injuries are a part of the game, better now (never good) than when he was slotted as a three or four starter
Medlen Getting MRI On Arm – Updated | Schreibz Sports Talk
August 16th, 2010
3:04 pm
[...] http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2010/08/04/medlen-leaves-wednesdays-start-with-elbow-ligame... [...]