Reds' Tejay Antone deserves a real shot at Comeback Player of the Year after MLBPA snub

The finalists for this year's Major League Baseball Players Choice Awards were revealed earlier this week. Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart was among those nominated for the National League's Outstanding Rookie Award, but Tejay Antone's name was nowhere to be found among the NL's Comeback Player Award.

Instead, the MLBPA went with Miami Marlins starter Sandy Alcántara, Atlanta Braves left-hander Martín Pérez, and Philadelphia Phillies' ace Zack Wheeler.

Based on the Players Choice Award nominees, it seems as though the voters found three recognizable names who were hurt or had a down-year in 2025, looked at this year's stats — which were improved — and said, "What a comeback!" Really? Is that what the award actually symbolizes?

While the trio of Alcántara, Pérez, and Wheeler certainly deserve recognition for their efforts, none of them overcame the same obstacles that Antone did. In fact, all three of those pitchers were on the mound with varying levels of success in 2025. Antone hadn't pitched in a Major League game since April of 2024 and was left off the Reds Opening Day roster.

Reds' pitcher Tejay Antone should be the unquestioned winner of the NL Comeback Player of the Year

But while the Players Association may not have felt compelled to include Antone among the best comeback stories in baseball this season, perhaps the MLB.com writers will feel differently. They're the ones who get to decide on the Comeback Player of the Year award.

Antone's story is well known among Reds fans, but perhaps other players, beat writers, and rival fanbases don't understand all he's overcome just to make it back to the big leagues.

Antone, who was drafted in 2014, is the longest tenured players in the Reds organization. He underwent his first Tommy John surgery after an impressive run in the minor leagues in 2016. He endured the procedure a second time after landing on the IL midway through the 2021.

Antone overcame several roadblocks to make it back to the big leagues in 2024, but suffered yet another elbow injury and underwent Tommy John surgery a third time in April of that year. Nevertheless, the right-hander was determined to get back to the major leagues.

Antone signed a minor-league deal with the Reds in 2025 in order to continue his rehab and made 15 rehab appearances. He battled for a spot on the Opening Day roster this past spring, but began the year at Triple-A Louisville. He was called up in May, and ended the year with 58 appearances over 55 innings and posted a 3.60 ERA. Antone became a high-leverage arm for Reds manager Terry Francona during the second-half of the season, and will almost certainly be part of the roster in 2027.

Last year, Jacob deGrom (Texas Rangers) and Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves) were named the Comeback Player of the Year for their respective leagues. deGrom missed all of the 2024 season outside of three starts in September, and a knee injury kept Acuña sidelined for all but 49 games. Reds fans are hoping Antone will find favor with the MLB.com writers, and at least be named a finalist for the award.

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