Cincinnati Reds activate Tejay Antone, designate Sean Doolittle for assignment

Tejay Antone was the single filthiest member of the Cincinnati Reds bullpen throughout the 2020 season, and that certainly looked to be replicating again as the 2021 season began. A strain in his right forearm hit pause on that, however, and he’s subsequently been absent from big league action since the end of June.

That officially ended today, however. The Reds announced Antone’s return prior to their series in Milwaukee against the division-leading Brewers, with Sean Doolittle being designated for assignment to make room on the roster.

The return of Antone’s filthy breaking ball and 1.87 ERA will hopefully complete the overhauled Cincinnati bullpen, who have also welcomed back Michael Lorenzen and Lucas Sims from injury of late after the additions of Luis Cessa, Mychal Givens, and Justin Wilson at the trade deadline (with the decision to keep converted starter Tony Santillan up today a vital part of that, too). Unfortunately, that meant Doolittle was on the chopping block despite a mid-season velocity increase and decent overall results over his last 20 G (3.78 ERA).

Welcome back, Captain Hook.