The Cleveland Guardians won’t be able to count on right-hander Ben Lively pitching again for them until at least the summer of 2026.
He has been diagnosed with a right flexor tendon strain and some UCL damage, and will be undergoing the dreaded Tommy John surgery in the upcoming days.
It’s hard to sugarcoat it: it’s terrible, crushing news for the Guardians, their pitching depth, and fans dreaming about a 2024-like postseason run in 2025.
A team insider, however, reminded everyone that while the loss of Lively will indeed test the organizational pitching depth, a top reinforcement is coming soon to help soften the blow.
“The loss of Lively for at least a year will further stress Cleveland’s pitching depth. Remember, though, Shane Bieber on horizon,” Tom Withers posted on X.
The loss of Lively for at least a year will further stress Cleveland's pitching depth.
Remember, though, Shane Bieber on horizon.— Tom Withers (@twithersCLE) May 23, 2025
Of course, it would have been much, much better to have both Bieber and Lively in the rotation.
That won’t be possible now, but the pending return of Bieber does help fans imagine a not-so-bleak scenario pitching-wise.
Bieber’s return is not exactly imminent, but he should be able to return to the Guardians’ mound next month at some point, or in early July at the latest, barring any setbacks.
He is yet to make rehab starts, though, but he is just about ready for that.
Bieber, recovering from his own Tommy John surgery performed in April 2024.
He was in tip-top shape, and the hope is that he can eventually regain that kind of form in the second half of 2025 with reps and innings.
The 2020 AL Cy Young winner will eventually give the Guardians a huge boost if they are patient and can endure the upcoming few weeks without him and Lively.
NEXT: Guardians Insider Reveals Heartbreaking Ben Lively Update
