Medlen progressing, set for more rehab starts

KANSAS CITY -- Right-hander Kris Medlen is inching closer to being a rotation option again for the Royals and manager Ned Yost.
In his third rehab start, this one for Triple-A Omaha, Medlen gave up two hits and no earned runs in 4 2/3 innings on Saturday night. He walked one and struck out five.
In his previous two starts for Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Medlen was nicked for nine hits and four runs through five innings.
"I just dialed it back a little bit this time," said Medlen, who was back in the Royals' clubhouse on Sunday. "I think I got a little too excited the first couple of starts.
"Every bullpen I have thrown, I'd been relaxed and throwing it where I wanted to. I had been wondering why I couldn't do it in a game, so I just dialed it back last night and I had three pitches under control. I felt pretty good."
Medlen, who is recovering from rotator cuff inflammation, threw 69 pitches on Saturday. Yost said he would like Medlen to continue to build his pitch count up before the Royals activate him from the disabled list.
"We need to get him built up and get him some consistency," Yost said. "He took a good step yesterday in terms of his command. We have him slated for more starts."