MILWAUKEE -- The bad news came for Reds reliever Tejay Antone on Wednesday night and he was the one to share it with the public on Thursday morning. Antone will need season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

Team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek will perform the operation on Friday in Cincinnati. Because recovery time from the procedure is often 12-18 months, it’s highly likely that Antone will be off the field for the Reds until at least the 2023 season.

"Not how I imagined my season ending," Antone tweeted. "I will be undergoing my second Tommy John surgery tomorrow. I have full trust in Dr. Kremchek and his team to get me back even better this time. Life is bigger than one person’s career. My hope through this whole thing is to inspire others."

Antone, 27, was in his first game back with the Reds on Tuesday against the Brewers after he missed 52 games on the injured list with a right forearm strain. He threw only five pitches to his first batter -- Rowdy Tellez -- when he felt his elbow pop as he threw a curveball. It immediately forced him out of the game.

This will be the second Tommy John surgery for Antone to repair his right elbow. He had the procedure performed on his elbow in 2017, missing an entire season at the High-A level.

In 23 games this season, Antone was 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 33 2/3 innings as he became the Reds’ best late-inning reliever in the first half. He missed 11 games on the injured list with inflammation in his forearm from June 11-21. He appeared in two games before going back on the IL with the forearm strain.

There is not a long list of pitchers who have successfully returned from a second Tommy John surgery, which repairs the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. One success story is former Major League pitcher Chris Capuano, who had his second TJ surgery in 2008 and resumed his career.

Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen, who can reach 99 mph, had the operation twice before he even turned pro. Mike Clevinger of the Padres is also rehabbing from his second surgery. Antone planned on being another success story.

“Thank you to the Reds for taking care of me through this rocky road,” Antone also tweeted. “And to my teammates, your love and support is unmatched. I will be back from this. Save this tweet.”

The tweet ended with a hashtag, #roadto101.

After his first elbow surgery, Antone called his return the “road to 100,” meaning he planned on being able to reach 100 mph pitch velocity. He achieved that earlier this season. Now, there’s a new goal to reach once he returns.