Antone, 32 in December, established himself as a key part of Cincinnati’s bullpen a few years ago. Over 2020 and 2021, he pitched 69 innings with an earned run average of 2.48. His 10.8% walk rate was high, but he struck out 32.3% of batters and got grounders on 48% of balls in play.
Unfortunately, his career was derailed by a number of injuries. He underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2021. That was actually the second such procedure of his career, the first coming back in 2017 when he was still in the minors. The second surgery wiped out his entire 2022 season. In 2023, a flexion injury during spring training forced him back. It wasn’t until September that he returned to a pitch in the big league. He made five appearances before returning to the IL due to elbow issues. In 2024, he made four appearances early in the season before being bitten by the injury bug again. He tore a tendon from his bone and suffered a ligament tear, requiring surgery.
Antone was on the injured list for the rest of 2024. At the end of the season he was dropped straight from the 40-man squad. He was still with the Reds in 2025, but without a roster spot, and started the season on the minor league injured list. He eventually got healthy enough to make 15 appearances in August and September, logging 15 innings. He allowed 17 earned runs on 23 hits, nine walks and five hit-by-pitches while striking out 15 opponents.
The righty became a free agent at the end of the season, but he and the Reds have quickly reunited. His numbers in 2025 weren’t good, but it was a small piece of work and some rust is understandable after multiple surgeries and so much missed time. It wouldn’t hurt for the Reds to bring him back on this non-roster deal to see if he can find a new tackle as he moves further away from his most recent surgery.
Photo courtesy of David Kohl, Imagn Images
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