Tejay Antone is back, and he's not just returning to the mound—he's stepping into baseball history. The Cincinnati Reds reliever, who hasn't pitched in a big-league game since April 7, 2024, when his elbow gave out after just one pitch, is now set to become only the third pitcher in MLB history to return from a third Tommy John surgery. Joining the elite company of Jonny Venters and Jason Isringhausen, Antone's comeback is nothing short of remarkable.

"This is my last chance. No one's going to sign a guy with four Tommy Johns, right?" Antone joked, but the gravity of his journey is clear. At 32, with a touch of gray in his beard, he carries the weight of perspective and gratitude. "It's awesome, man. It's really cool," he said, reflecting on the emotions of fighting back yet again.

The Reds' decision to activate Antone came after a tough night for the team, which saw manager Terry Francona lose his closer to injury. The late-night roster shuffle included moving left-hander Brandon Williamson to the 60-day injured list to free up a spot. But when Antone walked into the clubhouse the next day, it was a moment of pure uplift. "On the heels of a sh—-y night, seeing you walk through the door was kind of uplifting," Francona told him. "It's good for him. I hope it's really good for us. But that's a pretty cool story."

Before the Reds' pregame work, Antone took a moment to soak it all in at Wrigley Field, one of baseball's most iconic venues. With his iPhone in hand, he recorded the scene to share with his family. "Wrigley's a really cool ballpark, really iconic, and it's really cool to be back," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "It's been a long time. And I'm excited to do it. Excited to be back."

When healthy, Antone has been a force on the mound, boasting a career 2.47 ERA. His return isn't just a personal victory—it's a testament to resilience, and a story that every baseball fan can rally behind. For the Reds, it's a chance to add a proven arm to the bullpen. For Antone, it's history in the making.