The Cincinnati Reds bullpen has been a real problem this season. While it’s pitched better of late, getting back Tejay Antone and Lucas Sims (and others who are currently working their way back from injury) would go a long way. But with those two specifically, it seems that the timeline may have been moved back a little further than initially expected. Initially it seemed that Tejay Antone was going to return right after the All-Star break. That, however, is not the case anymore.
“Not right after (the break),” said manager David Bell on Sunday. “I would say closer to the end of July would be a realistic goal.”
“(He) Hasn’t started throwing yet,” Bell said of Tejay Antone. “He did have a PRP injection. That was about 3-4 days ago. Apparently after that there’s a period where you don’t do a whole lot and then he’ll start ramping up here. He’s doing a lot more movement the last couple days. I think he should be throwing here any day.”
“With Tejay – he didn’t have to have it (PRP injection). The decision was to do it for the long term. It can slow you down for 3-4 days, but on the back side of that it was the smarter decision just for the long term healing and health.”
As for Sims, he hasn’t pitched since June 22nd in Minnesota when he allowed three runs without recording an out in a 10-7 win. He was diagnosed with a sprained elbow after the game and placed on the 7-day injured list.
“Lucas might be a hair ahead of Tejay,” said Bell. “They’re both progression. All of the reports are encouraging. I think with both of those guys we have to be sure we give them enough time to get all the way back now and not have to go through this anymore the rest of the year.”
Michael Feliz makes a rehab appearance
Last night reliever Michael Feliz began a rehab stint with the Triple-A Louisville Bats. He faced off against Nashville and had a 1-2-3 inning, but it wasn’t without a little bit of drama. The righty recorded to long outs that were caught on the warning track before striking out the third and final hitter of the inning in the Bats win. Feliz was throwing 93-95 on the night with his fastball.