Reds and right-handers Terje Anton Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports that the two sides have agreed to a minor league deal. Presumably, the right-hander will receive an invitation to major league training camp when the deal becomes official.
Anton, who turns 32 in December, became a key figure in Cincinnati’s bullpen a few years ago. In 2020 and 2021, he pitched 69 innings with a 2.48 ERA average. His 10.8% walk rate was on the high side, but he struck out 32.3% of batters and allowed a ground ball in 48% of his pitches in games.
Unfortunately, his career was derailed by multiple injuries. He underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2021. This is actually the second such surgery in his career, the first being in 2017 when he was in the minors. A second surgery ruined his entire 2022 season. In 2023, a flexor strain during spring training set him back. He didn’t return to the major league mound until September. He made five appearances before returning to the IL due to elbow discomfort. In 2024, he made four appearances at the beginning of the season before being hampered by injuries again. He tore a tendon away from the bone and tore his ligaments, requiring surgery.
Anton spends the rest of 2024 on the injured list. After the season, he was left off the 40-man roster. In 2025, he was still with the Reds, but as a non-player and was on the minor league injured list at the beginning of the season. He eventually returned to health, making 15 appearances and 15 innings in August and September. He allowed 17 runs on 23 hits, nine at-bats and five pitches, while striking out 15 opponents.
The right-hander became a free agent after the season, but he and the Reds quickly reunited. His numbers in 2025 aren’t great, but that’s a small sample size of work, and after multiple surgeries and missing so much time, some rust is understandable. It wouldn’t hurt for the Reds to return him to this non-roster contract to see if he can find a new gear as he recovers further from his recent surgery.
Photo by David Kohl of Imagn Images
