CHICAGO -- After he strained his left hamstring while making a pitch on Tuesday, the Reds made an expected move by placing closer Emilio Pagán on the 15-day injured list.
To replace Pagán in the bullpen, Cincinnati has selected the contract of right-handed reliever Tejay Antone from Triple-A Louisville.
For the 32-year-old Antone, this is the latest step in his attempt to return to the big leagues following a third Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He had the procedure again following a tear of his ulnar collateral ligament while facing the Mets on April 7, 2024.
Antone, who was in big league camp with Cincinnati as a non-roster invite before being cut, is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 12 appearances this season at Louisville.
Limited to only 45 Major League appearances since debuting with the Reds in 2020 because of his injury history, Antone has a 2.47 career ERA.
In other transactions, the Reds also optioned starting pitcher Chase Petty to Triple-A Louisville and reinstated reliever Pierce Johnson from the bereavement list. To make room for Antone on the 40-man roster, starting pitcher Brandon Williamson (left shoulder fatigue) was transferred to the 60-day IL.