Medlen signs with Diamondbacks

Kris Medlen will continue trying tomake it back to the major leagues this spring, but not with the Braves. The popular former Braves pitcher, who returned to the team on a minor league contract last year, signed with the Diamond backs for 2018. He got a minor league deal, but unlike the contract he signed with the Braves in late January 2017, this one with the Diamond backs includes an invitation tomajor league spring training. Medlen, 32, will make $1.1 million if he makes Arizona’s major league roster. He has an optout clause that will allow him to sign with another teamif he isn’t on the 40-man roster by March 27. He hoped to return to the Braves in 2018 after buying a home for his family in Atlanta, but hadn’t heard interest from new Braves management this offseason. Medlen came back from shoulder problemswith the Royals in 2016, spent last offseason and spring training rehabbing his shoulder andworking ona less-stressful pitching delivery, then went 5-8 with a 4.95 ERA in 20 starts last season at three minor league levels in the Braves organization after beginning his season in late May. He had 98 strikeouts with 30 walks in 116⅓ innings. ”I’m just in a completely differents pot than last year ,” said Medlen, who cameback from two Tommy John elbow surgeries with the Braves to have a promising season with Kansas City in 2015, then considered retiring after shoulder woes twice landed him on the Royals’ disabled list in 2016. ”I had just started working out at this time last year. Been working my tail off to get back and gained a lot of con fifi den ce the way I finished up last season in Gwinnett,” Medlen said. “I am more than ready for an opportunity with a good young team in Arizona.”