Tejay Antone should replace this Reds reliever

Tejay Antone will be making his return to the Cincinnati Reds very soon. The former fifth-round pick has not pitched in nearly two years and continues to ramp up for his return to the Reds.

Currently on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville, according to Bally Sports' Brian Giesenschlag, Antone could return to the Reds as early as August 19th.

Antone could buoy an exhausted Cincinnati bullpen that could use a fresh arm into the second half of the season.

Returning Tejay Antone should replace Reds RHP Buck Farmer.

According to Fangraphs, Tejay Antone pitched 33 innings in 2021 and owned a 2.14 ERA with a WHIP of 0.891. The right-hander possessed a ridiculous 11.23 strikeouts per nine innings and held opposing hitters to a batting average of just .152.

Outside of Alexis Diaz, the bullpen has had unsteady results this season and looks to be on its last legs. The arrival of Antone could provide much needed rest and hopefully give manager David Bell a dependable arm out of the pen.

When Tejay Antone finally returns, who gets the axe? Unfortunately for Buck Farmer, he may be the fall guy. Farmer has pitched in 55 innings this season and owns a 4.09 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. Only Ian Gibaut has thrown more innings than Farmer, but the veteran has looked worn down since the All-Star break.

In the second half of the season, Buck Farmer has allowed seven earned runs in 10 innings with two losses and a blown save. The right-hander, like many other arms in the Reds bullpen, may simply be out of gas. He has been a workhorse this season and could benefit from a limited workload.

Farmer is out of minor league options which prevents him from going to Louisville, but a phantom IL stint for arm fatigue could be in order. After much needed rest, Farmer could return to the Reds and pitch in September. The homecoming of Tejay Antone provides a great opportunity to rest Buck Farmer and help this gassed bullpen.