Reds: Secretive David Bell may spoil Sunday’s surprise starter

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said yesterday that Tejay Antone was “not an option” on Thursday afternoon versus the Milwaukee Brewers. Does that mean that Antone will start on Sunday versus the Colorado Rockies?

When asked whether or not Antone had suffered an injury, Bell said that he’d have more information on Friday. Since Antone was not placed on the injured list, and hasn’t pitched since Sunday, it’s a good bet that the Reds’ best reliever may get his first start of the 2021 season this weekend.

Tejay Antone may be David Bell’s choice as the Reds starter on Sunday.

It’s either going to be good news or bad news on Friday when David Bell speaks to the media prior to the opening game of a three-game set with the visiting Colorado Rockies. The Cincinnati Reds skipper will either announce that Tejay Antone will start Sunday’s series finale or that the right-hander is headed to the injured list.

Antone’s last appearance out of the Cincinnati bullpen was Sunday in St. Louis. The right-hander tossed one inning and allowed just one. Before that, Antone went a combined three innings, striking out three and allowed just one hit and a walk.

Antone has not allowed an earned run over his last seven appearances out of the bullpen. The Texas native has thrown in 10.1 innings over that span and allowed just four hits while striking out 11 batters.

Reds prospect Tony Santillan is David Bell’s other option.

Tony Santillan, the only other likely option to take the injured Sonny Gray’s spot in the rotation, is slated to start tonight for the Louisville Bats as Cincinnati’s Triple-A affiliate plays on the road against the Toledo Mud Hens. Santillan is 1-3 this season with a 2.51 ERA.

Santillan has been a top prospect within the Cincinnati Reds organization for the past several seasons, but a decline in 2019 coupled with the cancelled minor league season in 2020 prevented the right-hander from making his big league debut.

Whoever Sunday’s starter is, we’re likely to find out later today. If it’s Tejay Antone, David Bell will likely make the announcement prior to today’s contest. If it’s Tony Santillan, look for someone else on the Bats’ roster to take his turn in the starting rotation this evening.