Cincinnati Reds Could Have Prominent Reliever Back For Playoff Push

The Cincinnati Reds got some valuable good news on Thursday as reliever Tejay Antone thinks he'll be able to make it back this season.

The right-handed reliever, who missed more than two years while recovering from Tommy John surgery, landed on the injured list on Thursday with elbow issues and there was immediate concern.

But Antone told Reds reporter Gordon Wittenmyer that he thinks it's not a big deal and he'll be back:

“To me it was just a flareup,” he said. “I’m going to go get this MRI, and from my understanding and what I feel there will be nothing new. Just expecting maybe some chronic (buildup), maybe some more inflammation, just a little bit flared up. So maybe a few days off and then keep going.”

While Antone could be activated with a few days left in the regular season, he could also be a weapon in the playoffs for manager David Bell - if the Reds can get there.

Cincinnati enters play on Friday at 76-72 and in a three-way tie for the third and final wild card spot in the National League. They are tied with the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Antone has appeared in five games for the Reds this year, pitching to a 1.59 ERA. Prior to getting injured, he was an incredibly valuable piece of the Reds' bullpen. He had a 2.80 ERA in 13 games during the COVID 2020 season and then had a 2.14 ERA in 2021 over 23 games before getting hurt.

The Reds will play the Mets on Friday night at 7:10 p.m. ET.