Medlen heads to DL for Braves

Atlanta Braves pitcher Kris Medlen was placed on the 15-day DL on Thursday with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament tear in his right elbow.

The Braves recalled right-hander Cristhian Martinez from Triple-A Gwinnett. Martinez was 4-1 with a 3.28 ERA at Gwinnett, including two starts. He pitched in seven games earlier in the season with Atlanta and had a 5.06 ERA in 10 2-3 innings.

Braves' doctors said they would wait a couple of weeks when the swelling and pain subside to decide if he will need Tommy John surgery, which appears likely. Recovery from the surgery generally takes one year.

Medlen left Wednesday night's game against the New York Mets after 4 1-3 innings. He gave up four hits and two runs.

Medlen left his previous start on Friday in Cincinnati after he was hit on the inside of his right forearm by a pitch from Johnny Cueto.

The right-hander showed no sign of discomfort against the Mets before throwing a pitch outside of the plate to Jose Reyes with one out in the fifth. Medlen took a couple of hops off the mound, and manager Bobby Cox quickly came out of the dugout.

Medlen was 6-2 with a 3.68 ERA in 31 games, 14 starts.