Reds young arms continue to falter while Tejay Antone surges at right time

You can never count out Tejay Antone, but it's also difficult to trust him. The Cincinnati Reds pitcher has undergone three separate elbow surgeries since 2017 and has made just nine big-league appearances and covered less than eight innings since 2023.

But Antone is back in Reds camp once again this spring, and on Monday, made his second appearance during Cactus League play. The right-hander has looked good thus far. He's yet to allow a hit or a walk and has struck out two batters.

There's at least one spot up for grabs in the Reds bullpen, but does Antone really have a chance to be part of the team's Opening Day roster this season? Given how poorly his competition has performed this spring, yes.

Spring struggles could gift Tejay Antone a spot on the Reds roster

Provided there are no injuries, Emilio Pagán, Tony Santillan, Pierce Johnson, Caleb Ferguson, Brock Burke, and Graham Ashcraft will all be part of the Reds bullpen on Opening Day. Connor Phillips isn't guaranteed a spot just yet, but based on his performance down the stretch last season, he'll likely be part of the relief corps when the season begins later this month.

That means the chase for the final spot in the Reds bullpen will likely come down to the group of Antone, Luis Mey, Zach Maxwell, Lyon Richardson, and Sam Moll. Mey has struggled with command this spring, as has Maxwell. Richardson didn't have his best stuff at the outset of camp, meaning that it's currently a two-horse race between Antone and Moll.

Quite frankly, this could be the battle for the final spot on the Reds roster. Why? Because Moll is occupying a spot on the 40-man roster, and Antone is a non-roster invitee. If Cincinnati intends to add Antone before leaving Arizona, he'd likely take Moll's spot. The left-hander is out of minor-league options, and unless he breaks camp with the big-league club, he'll be designated for assignment.

There's still plenty of Cactus League games remaining, and none of the five pitchers battling for that final roster spot can be counted out just yet. Antone may have a leg up on the competition, but given his injury history, the odds may still be stacked against him.