Guardians first Lively undergoes elbow surgery and will be out for 12-16 months

Ben Lively, a starting rotating stable member of the Cleveland Guardians, will undergo Tommy John surgery and flexor tendon repair and is expected to be out for 12 to 16 months. The surgery is scheduled to be performed by Dr. Keith Meister in the coming days, with a date yet to be determined.

"We're heartbroken for Ben," Guardians head coach Stephen Vogt said, "and it's a big blow to his career and to the team." Ben has been an important pillar since I came in, bringing stability to the rotation and being an irreplaceable team-mate. "

The 33-year-old right-hand pitcher retired with a right forearm inflammation after making three innings in the starting game against the Brewers on May 12 and was on the 15-day injury list the next day with a right flexor tendon strain. After a follow-up visit with Dr. Meister Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, he was diagnosed with medial elbow laxity due to an ulnar collateral ligament defect in addition to flexor tendon injury, which the medical team believed increased the flexor group load and recommended surgery.

Lively's career has been full of twists and turns: a 2017-18 spell for the Philadelphia, a 2018-19 move to the Royals, two years with the Samsung Lions in South Korea, and a 2023 move to the Reds. After signing a one-year contract with the Guardians on Dec. 12 last year, he contributed 151 games and had a 3.81 ERA in 29 starts for the 2024 season, especially after Shane Bieber underwent TJ surgery in April.

In nine starts this season, Lively leads the team's starting pitchers with 44.2 innings and a 3.22 ERA. As of Friday's game against the Tigers, the Guardians rotated to 4.05 overall ERAs (19th in MLB) and 251.1 innings pitched (23rd).

"I didn't know him at the time, but everyone I came into contact with praised his character and competitiveness. He's really one of the players I've admired the most since I worked together. "

Lively first noticed forearm discomfort in the 5.1 innings against the Nationals on May 6 and dropped one point with 63 goals before exiting. After that, he was on regular duty to prepare for the brewers, but after throwing three games without conceding a point, he felt unwell again during the warm-up and left early.

The current Guardian rotation consists of Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Luis Ortiz, Logan Allen and Slade Cecconi. Cecconi replaced Lively against the Reds on Saturday, conceding three points in five games and sending eight strikeouts before getting another start in Detroit on Friday.

"Now the opportunity belongs to Slade," Wout said of the Checconi who was traded from the Sidewinders, "but the injury is unfortunate, but it creates an opportunity for others. He was a great performer last time ago and he deserves to be trusted again. The Guardians acquired the right-hand shooter from Arizona through a Josh Naylor trade on Dec. 21 of last year.

As for the long-term injury, Bieber's recovery from TJ surgery is progressing well, and he is expected to play in the Rookie League in the coming weeks, followed by a minor league rehab game. Left-handed John Means, who signed on Feb. 19, is recovering from the TJ surgery he underwent last June and is expected to be a summer rotation option.