Cincinnati Reds Sign Tejay Antone to Minor League Deal
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The Cincinnati Reds have signed right-hander Tejay Antone to a minor league deal, as reported by Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. This agreement likely includes an invitation to big league camp, which indicates the Reds' interest in evaluating Antone's potential for the upcoming season.
Antone, who will turn 32 in December, previously established himself as a promising member of the Reds' bullpen during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, pitching 69 innings and posting an impressive earned run average of 2.48.
Despite a high walk rate of 10.8%, he managed to strike out over 32% of batters faced and induced ground balls at a rate of 48%. Unfortunately, his career trajectory has been significantly impacted by a series of injuries.
Antone underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2021, marking the second such procedure of his career, following a previous surgery in 2017 while in the minors. This second surgery sidelined him for the entire 2022 season and set back his return to the mound.
In 2023, he faced further challenges, dealing with a flexor strain during spring training, which delayed his return to the big leagues until September. He made five appearances before returning to the injured list due to elbow discomfort.
The 2024 season was similarly difficult, as he made only four appearances before suffering a torn tendon and ligament tear that required surgery, ending his season prematurely. Although Antone was outrighted off the 40-man roster at the end of the 2024 season, he remained with the Reds in a non-roster capacity and eventually returned to the mound in August and September 2025, making 15 appearances.
In those outings, he logged 15 innings but struggled, allowing 17 earned runs on 23 hits, along with nine walks and five hit-by-pitches while striking out 15 batters. Despite these challenges, the Reds are bringing him back on a non-roster deal, viewing this as a low-risk opportunity to see if he can regain his form as he recovers further from his surgeries.
As the Reds look to enhance their pitching depth, this move reflects a strategic approach to developing talent with upside potential. The situation remains fluid, and it will be interesting to monitor Antone's progress as he battles for a spot in the Reds' bullpen in the upcoming season.