Antone, now 31 years old, is a right-handed pitcher who has spent his professional career working his way up through the Cincinnati Reds’ organization, earning a reputation for sharp command and a high-spin breaking ball when healthy. As reported Thursday by MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon, the Reds have decided to bring him back on a minor league contract, signaling the club’s continued belief in his potential despite years of injury setbacks.
Across four big-league seasons, Antone has been quietly dominant when available, posting a 2.47 ERA over 45 appearances — numbers that reflect both his talent and the frustration surrounding his limited availability. His career, however, has been defined by repeated injuries. He missed the entire 2022 season after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery, a major hurdle for any pitcher. In 2023, he managed to return to the majors but pitched in just five games before being sidelined again. His 2024 season saw only four additional MLB outings as the Reds carefully monitored his workload.
The 2025 campaign offered little relief, as injuries once more kept him out for the majority of the year. He didn’t return to game action until late in the season, logging innings exclusively in the minors as he attempted to rebuild strength and consistency.
Still, the relationship between Antone and the Reds remains strong. The speed with which both sides finalized this new minor league deal shows there’s mutual trust and optimism. Cincinnati would certainly welcome a full comeback, as Antone has shown the ability to be a high-impact bullpen arm when healthy. For the Reds, the hope is that with another offseason of recovery and a fresh start in 2026, Antone can finally stay on the mound long enough to reclaim the form that once made him one of their most promising arms.
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