Kris Medlen was one of the most popular Braves of the past decade, an undersized underdog of a pitcher who wore his cap with the bill flat -- the style in his native Southern California -- and featured a terrific change-up and fearless approach that belied his boyish appearance.

He was a budding ace for the Braves before a second Tommy John surgery dramatically changed his career arc. Medlen, after retiring this week with the Diamondbacks, discusses his career and his Braves memories with the AJC’s David O’Brien, who covered Medlen from the time he was an overshadowed Braves prospect in the Arizona Fall League until Medlen left for Kansas City after two TJ surgeries, then returned to Atlanta two years later.

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Padres relief pitcher Robert Suarez claps during a spring training practice at Peoria Sports Complex on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, in Peoria, Arizona. Suarez has signed to play with the Braves. (Meg McLaughlin/The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS)

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Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools