Royals activate Medlen, add him to bullpen

Durability has always been an issue for Medlen, but in 2012 and 2013 he went 25-13 with a 2.47 ERA and 277/70 K/BB ratio in 335 innings for the Braves.

Medlen will begin in the Royals’ bullpen, although that could change later in the season.

Medlen, 29, recently completed a rehab stint as he returns from a second Tommy John surgery.

“He provides depth down there”, Yost said. “With this good of a team and this good of people to be around, it’s made it a lot easier and watching some really good baseball, it’s got me pretty fired up to come back”. Kansas City signed him to a two-year contract in December. The year that he had his rookie year in the big leagues was phenomenal. He then underwent elbow surgery in March 2014.

“I’m just happy to be here and happy to be in this position where we can get a chance to get back to the postseason”.

With left-hander Jason Vargas coming off the disabled list Tuesday and scheduled to start against the Pirates, Yost said the Royals have seven starters. The veteran righty went 1-1 with a 3.56 ERA (12 ER in 30.1 IP) with five walks and 20 strikeouts in six rehab assignments with Omaha and Northwest Arkansas (AA) this year. In a corresponding roster move, the club optioned right-handed pitcher Yohan Pino to Triple-A Omaha.