'This was my last chance': 3 elbow surgeries and much heartbreak later, he's back in bigs

CHICAGO – As the Reds try to move forward for an extended period without injured closer Emilio Pagán after he strained his left hamstring on Tuesday vs. the Cubs, manager Terry Francona was cheered up when Tejay Antone arrived at his office Wednesday.

“[Antone] walked in today and I said, ‘On the heels of kind of a [crappy] night, seeing you walk through that door was kind of uplifting.’ It’s good for him. I hope it’s really good for us, but that’s a pretty cool story," Francona said.

The story of Antone is a rarity that lacks many comparisons. The 32-year-old, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Louisville, has come back to the big leagues after a third Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

Antone had the procedure for the third time following a tear of his ulnar collateral ligament while facing the Mets on April 7, 2024. The only other pitchers known to make it all the way back to the Majors from three such procedures were Jonny Venters and Jason Isringhausen.

Re-signed to a Minor League contract in November and a non-roster invite at Spring Training before being cut, Antone was 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 12 appearances this season with Louisville.

Antone appeared emotional discussing his return to the Major Leagues.

“I really wanted to come back but I don’t want to say I was expecting [it]," he said. "I wasn’t on the [40-man] roster. I was just pitching the best I could just hoping for an opportunity. I went out there and threw really well for the first month of the season and the Reds have given me this opportunity. I couldn’t be happier.”

Much of the Reds roster has turned over since Antone first debuted in the Major Leagues in 2020 but their longest-tenured player, catcher Tyler Stephenson, has seen all of the comebacks – and all of the heartbreak – the reliever has been through.

Antone underwent ulnar collateral ligament surgery for the first time in 2017 as a Minor Leaguer. The second time came in the midst of his stellar 2021 season, his first full year in the Major Leagues. The rehab and some setbacks from that procedure kept him from returning until 2024.

“We were in the Minor Leagues together and we debuted an inning apart," Stephenson said. "It just shows a lot of who he is to go through the surgery three times and never giving up on the goal and making his way back. He’s done that, he’s proven that, and he’s earned the right.”

Limited to only 45 Major League appearances since debuting because of his injury history, Antone entered the day with a 2.47 career ERA.

When Antone first arrived, he had a fastball that could reach triple-digit velocity and a devastating curveball. That type of velocity is long gone and replaced by stuff in the low-to-mid 90's. He added a sweeper and cutter to his pitch selection during the last offseason.

“It’s not completely shelved," Antone said of his curveball. "Captain Hook has still got it. It’s definitely lower on the tier-list, for sure.

"Being able to pound the zone with stuff I have confidence in is really important. It gives me confidence to be in the zone more because I’m getting good swing-and-miss, getting mis-hits."

By adding pitches, it underscored Antone's desire to throw without fear and not just play it safe.

“This was my last chance. No one is going to sign a guy with four Tommy Johns, right?" Antone said.

The Reds knew immediately that Pagán would require a stint on the injured list and after a 3-2 loss in 10 innings, Francona, pitching coach Derek Johnson and general manager Brad Meador huddled in the manager's office to discuss whom to add to a bullpen that's struggled over the past week. Phone calls were made to player development director Jeremy Farrell and Louisville manager Pat Kelly, and they endorsed Antone as the call-up.

“We sat here for a long time last night and tried to figure it out," Francona said. "I think you kind of have to listen to their thoughts because they’re hands on with those guys.”

After talking to Francona Wednesday afternoon, Antone went outside by the first-base dugout at Wrigley Field and took it all in.

“It’s awesome, man. It’s really cool," Antone said. "I went out on the field, took a little recording for the phone and sent it to my family. Wrigley’s a really cool ballpark, really iconic. It’s really cool to be back, it’s been a long time. I’m excited to be back.”