Kris Medlen hopes to pitch next season and hopes that it is with the Atlanta Braves.

Medlen had a second reconstuctive elbow surgery five months ago. He expects to be cleared to throw a baseball in a little more than two weeks.

"Night and day," he said of his confidence level now compared to March, when he tore his ulnar collateral ligament and had his second Tommy John surgery in four years. "I'm in the middle of rehab so it's hard to say, because I haven't started throwing yet. But at this point, there's no doubt in my mind that I'm going to be back at some point next season.

"It depends on how aggressive they want to be with the throwing program, obviously, as far as the timing of everything next year. But as of right now, before I pick up a baseball, there's no doubt in my mind that I'll be back. Hopefully here."

Medlen will be arbitration eligible again for the third time this offseason, after making $5.8 million this season.