Just when the Cleveland Guardians rotation was starting to stabilize, they got some crushing news on one of the members of their Opening Day rotation.
A few days ago, on May 12, right-hander Ben Lively had to leave a start after just three innings because of forearm discomfort.
He was placed on the 15-day injured list with what was deemed as a right flexor tendon strain.
But the Guardians knew something else was going on.
Lively had to undergo a battery of tests, and the official diagnosis was crushing.
“Ben Lively will undergo Tommy John surgery in the coming days. He’s expected to miss 12 to 16 months,” team insider Zack Meisel posted on X.
Ben Lively will undergo Tommy John surgery in the coming days. He’s expected to miss 12 to 16 months.https://t.co/T6TDIg3v8l
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) May 23, 2025
It represents heartbreaking news for the Guardians, as their odds of making the playoffs will inevitably suffer because of Lively’s loss.
He had been one of their most reliable starters in the first few weeks of the 2025 campaign, posting a 3.22 ERA at the moment of going down with a 1.19 WHIP in 44.2 innings of work.
His stuff is middling at best, but he is very competitive, can command all his pitches well, and does a good job avoiding walks and home runs.
That proved good enough to be a member of Cleveland’s rotation.
The Guardians offered a more elaborate explanation of Lively’s elbow problem:
An update on Ben Lively's injury status.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/jbiWwSE6uw
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 23, 2025
Both the Guardians’ physicians and one of the most renowned specialists in these injuries, Dr. Keith Meister, recommended UCL reconstruction surgery, better known as the Tommy John procedure.
His flexor tendon is also going to be repaired.
The Guardians are yet to announce how they will replace Lively in the rotation, but Slade Cecconi and Doug Nikhazy are currently some of the internal options.
NEXT: Guardians Highlight Huge Relief Appearance By Cade Smith
