Diamondbacks call on pitcher Kris Medlen to start Friday vs. Astros

The Arizona Diamondbacks will call upon 32-year-old Kris Medlen to start Friday in a series opener against the Houston Astros.

Manager Torey Lovullo told reporters Thursday that Medlen will take the first of pitcher Robbie Ray’s scheduled starts as Ray recovers from a right oblique strain.

Medlen, who was signed this offseason to a minor-league deal, is not on the 40-man roster and will be signed to an MLB deal.

“We’re going to have to grind through the next few weeks. The schedule is a little beneficial in terms of I think we have four off-days that we have coming up and I think we can use (them) to our advantage,” Hazen told reporters earlier in the week. “We may look to strategically work starters in. We may use starting in, starter out to add bullpen at times — look at different things — look at matchups.”

Ray suffered the injury Sunday after tweaking his muscle with an out recorded in the second inning against the Washington Nationals. The D-backs placed the left-hander on the 10-day disabled list Monday and recalled relief pitcher Silvino Bracho, who has added bullpen depth. It is likely Bracho will be sent down to make room for Medlen.

Medlen didn’t pitch in the majors last season but worked his way around the Atlanta Braves’ minor league system. He spent 2009-13 with Atlanta before an elbow injury that required a second Tommy John surgery caused him to miss the entire 2014 season.

The right-hander spent 2015-16 with the Kansas City Royals, starting 21 games and going 7-5 with a 3.25 ERA. Medlen won a World Series with the Royals in 2015.

For Triple-A Reno this season, Medlen has gone 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA in four starts.

Follow @AZSports