Kris Medlen said Monday that he doesn't want to return to the bullpen.

The Braves will have a tough decision to make soon, as Brandon Beachy (elbow) is nearing the end of his rehab assignment. Julio Teheran has pitched really well of late, so some have speculated that a return to the bullpen could be in Medlen's future. "I'll let it be known that I don't want to go down there (to the bullpen)," said Medlen. "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." It might not be such a bad idea in the short-term, as Medlen is currently on pace for nearly 200 innings, which would be a big jump from the 151 1/3 innings he threw between the majors and minors last season.

Kris Medlen won for just the second time this year Monday by holding the Pirates to an unearned run over seven innings.

Medlen, who left his last start when he was hit in the leg by a comebacker, had his way with an Andrew McCutchen-less Pirates lineup tonight, striking out six and walking none. His future in the Braves rotation is cloudy with Brandon Beachy on track to return later this month, but it's not as though he's pitched badly; he has a 3.14 ERA this season.

Kris Medlen (calf) ran Friday and said he will have no problems preparing for his next scheduled start on Monday.

Medlen was hit in the left leg by a comebacker in the second inning Wednesday and had to make an early exit. Fortunately for the Braves, he will not require an extended absence. He'll carry a 3.48 ERA into Monday's start against the Pirates.

Kris Medlen left Wednesday's start against the Blue Jays with a left upper calf contusion.

Medlen was hit on the leg by a comebacker in the second inning and the calf must have tightened up on him. The good news is that the Braves expect him to be fine for his next start. Medlen allowed three runs on four hits and a walk over two frames before exiting.

Kris Medlen yielded three runs in six innings against the Mets on Friday.

Medlen struck out a season-high nine in the no-decision, including three whiffs of Ike Davis. While he hasn't been anywhere near as dominant as he was last year, he has allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine out of his 10 starts this this season. He'll carry a 3.16 ERA into a matchup against the Blue Jays next week.

Kris Medlen allowed just one (unearned) run in seven innings as the Braves beat the Dodgers 3-1 on Saturday.

Medlen was superb, yielding just two hits and three walks while striking out five batters. It was a nice bounceback effort for the talented right-hander, who struggled on Sunday against the Giants. He will carry an improving 3.02 ERA and 1.32 WHIP into his next start against the light-hitting Mets.

Kris Medlen allowed three runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings Sunday in a loss to the Giants.

Medlen gave up home runs to Pablo Sandoval and Brandon Belt in consecutive innings, and struggled with his control (four walks) before he was removed in the sixth inning after working up a high pitch count. Despite his solid 3.44 ERA, Medlen has just one win this season. He'll look to get things turned around in his next start vs. the Dodgers

Kris Medlen allowed two runs in seven innings, but he failed to get the win as the Reds came back in the bottom of the ninth inning on Tuesday.

Medlen hasn't had much luck this season, as he's 1-4 but has pitched well enough to deserve a better fate in many of his starts. He's not the pitcher he was in 2012, but this year's version is still plenty serviceable for fantasy purposes. Continue to start him going forward, with his next start coming Sunday against the Giants.

Kris Medlen fell to 1-3 on the year after he was tagged for five runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Tigers on Saturday.

Medlen was touched up for a career-high 10 hits in the loss, including two home runs. He struck out three and walked two. Medlen allowed three runs or less in his previous four outings this season, so we wouldn't make too much out of today's clunker. He'll attempt to rebound next Thursday when he faces the Nationals in Atlanta.

Kris Medlen registered a quality start but suffered a loss Sunday, giving up three runs over six frames against the Pirates.

Medlen allowed seven hits, walked one and struck out six. The diminutive righty out-pitched his counterpart, Jonathan Sanchez, but the Pirates' bullpen was able to hold the Braves in check. Medlen has managed just one win in four tries despite a 2.16 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. He'll try to get in the win column next weekend in Detroit.

Kris Medlen allowed two runs -- one earned -- over seven innings as the Braves beat the Royals on Tuesday.

Medlen's first start of the year was a bit shaky, but he's been on his game in the two starts following. Jeremy Guthrie matched him pitch-for-pitch, so Medlen didn't get a win for his effort, but he's now got a 1.42 ERA on the season. It looks like his 2012 was more fact than fiction, and he'll get another favorable matchup Sunday against the Pirates.

Kris Medlen allowed one run in seven innings as the Braves beat the Marlins 3-2 on Tuesday.

This is more like what we expected from the 27-year-old in his 2012 encore, even if it was against the lowly Marlins. Medlen allowed just three hits despite striking out only one. With a few off days built into the schedule, his next start will likely be against the Royals next Tuesday.

Kris Medlen yielded two runs in five innings Thursday in a loss to the Phillies.

It was Medlen's first loss as a starting pitcher since 2010. He was shaky all spring, so it wasn't a surprise to see him stumble a bit out of the gate, even if he did a good job of minimizing the damage in this one (he allowed six hits and walked four). We remain optimistic.

Kris Medlen was tagged for six runs in five innings by the Nationals on Sunday.

Medlen's spring ERA is up to 7.23, but he does have a solid 17/3 K/BB ratio in 23 2/3 innings. Of course, he's in for something of a comedown this year after posting a remarkable 1.57 ERA in 138 innings last season. Still, we're pretty optimistic about his future. He projects as a top-20 starter this year.

Kris Medlen was lit up for nine runs in five innings by the Phillies on Monday.

All nine runs were earned, even though the defense behind him was really pretty horrible. The worst of the non-errors was a fly to right-center that neither B.J. Upton nor Jason Heyward decided to catch. It was ruled a single. We see no reason to be concerned about the inflated ERA.

Kris Medlen left Wednesday's start after 4 2/3 innings after being hit by a comebacker for the second time in the game.

Medlen is expected to be fine, as he stayed in the dugout rather than go to the clubhouse. The Braves were likely just playing it safe since he was expected to be removed after one more out, anyway. The righty held the Marlins scoreless, allowing just two hits and no walks while striking out three. He has a 2.63 ERA this spring.

Kris Medlen pitched two scoreless innings Monday versus the Marlins.

Medlen decided to skip the World Baseball Classic because his wife is due to give birth next month, but that doesn't figure to have much of an effect on his preparation for the season. He appears to be in line to start the second game of the year.

Kris Medlen has withdrawn from Team USA's roster for the World Baseball Classic due to the impending birth of his first child.

We suppose that's a good reason. Medlen, who posted a 1.57 ERA while going 10-1 across 138 innings last season, is probably better off preparing for the season in spring training, anyway.

Braves avoided arbitration with RHP Kris Medlen by agreeing to a one-year, $2.6 million contract.

Medlen had been projected to earn about $2 million in his first year of arbitration, so it's nice little score. The right-hander was one of baseball's biggest surprises in 2012, posting a 1.57 ERA while going 10-1 across 138 innings. He'll be a key cog in the Braves' 2013 rotation.

The Braves suffered a season-ending defeat in Friday's NL Wild Card game, as poor infield defense failed Kris Medlen.

Medlen allowed five runs (two earned) on just three hits over 6 1/3 innings of work. He struck out four on the evening and didn't walk a hitter. It was the first time the Braves have lost one of Medlen's starts since May 23, 2010. A critical error by Chipper Jones in the fourth inning led to a three-run uprising, starting with an RBI double from Allen Craig. After a solo homer from Matt Holliday in the sixth, the Cards tacked on another two unearned runs in the seventh, helped along by errors from Andrelton Simmons and Dan Uggla. He'll head into the 2013 season with a secure spot near the top of the Braves rotation.