Guardians RHP Ben Lively to have Tommy John surgery

Field Level Media|published: Fri 23rd May, 16:52 2025

MLB: Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Guardians

May 1, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Ben Lively (39) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cleveland Guardians right-handed starter Ben Lively will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss at least the remainder of the season, the team announced on Friday.

The surgery, which has not been scheduled, will be performed in Arlington, Texas, by Dr. Keith Meister. Lively is expected to be sidelined for 12-16 months.

Lively, 33, last pitched on May 12, tossing three scoreless innings against the Milwaukee Brewers. He departed ahead of the top of the fourth after tossing a few warmup pitches with right forearm inflammation, then was placed on the injured list the following day with a strained right flexor tendon.

In nine starts this season, Lively posted a 2-2 record with a 3.22 ERA, 15 walks and 29 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings.

For his career, he is 23-29 with a 4.38 ERA, 128 walks and 306 strikeouts in 404 1/3 innings over 83 games (70 starts) for the Philadelphia Phillies (2017-18), Kansas City Royals (2018-19), Cincinnati Reds (2023) and Guardians (2024-present).

--Field Level Media