Guardians RHP Ben Lively undergoes Tommy John surgery

Field Level Media|published: Wed 4th June, 22:12 2025

May 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Ben Lively (39) delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Ben Lively underwent Tommy John surgery and a right flexor tendon repair on Wednesday.

The two procedures are expected to keep Lively sidelined for 12 to 18 months.

Dr. Keith Meister performed the surgeries in Arlington, Texas.

Lively exited a game against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 12 after throwing a few warm-up pitches in the fourth inning. He was placed on the 15-day injured list the following day with a right forearm strain.

Ten days later, the Guardians revealed that Meister recommended repair of the ulnar collateral ligament (Tommy John reconstructive surgery) as well as the flexor tendon procedure.

Lively, 33, was 2-2 with a 3.22 ERA in nine starts this season. He went a career-best 13-10 last season in his first campaign with Cleveland, producing a 3.81 ERA in 29 starts.

Overall, he is 23-29 with a 4.38 ERA and 306 strikeouts over 83 games (70 starts) for the Philadelphia Phillies (2017-18), Kansas City Royals (2018-19), Cincinnati Reds (2023) and Guardians.

--Field Level Media

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