Guardians' Tanner Bibee scratched from Opening Day start

Field Level Media|published: 03/27/2025, 1:47pm EDT

Oct 19, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee (28) reacts after a double play during the fifth inning during game five of the ALCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee was scratched from Thursday's Opening Day start against the host Kansas City Royals due to illness.

The team announced that Bibee is dealing with acute gastroenteritis and will be replaced on the mound by right-hander Ben Lively.

Bibee, 26, had been scheduled to make his first Opening Day start after finishing 12-8 with a 3.47 ERA in 31 starts last season. He struck out 187 batters and walked 44 in 173 2/3 innings.

Lively, 33, had been expected to make his season debut next week during the Guardians' road series with the San Diego Padres.

Lively finished 13-10 with a 3.81 ERA in 29 starts last season. For his career, he is 1-2 with a 4.60 ERA in three starts against the Royals.

--Field Level Media