Ben Lively Set for Tommy John Surgery: What This Means for His Future and Your Fantasy Team

Ben Lively, a right-handed pitcher for the Guardians, will undergo Tommy John surgery and repair of a flexor tendon. He’s expected to be out for 12 to 16 months, which means he’ll miss the rest of the 2025 season and possibly all of 2026. Currently, he’s on the 15-day injured list and will be moved to the 60-day IL soon when Cleveland needs his roster spot.

Earlier this week, Lively sought a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, TX. Dr. Meister confirmed a flexor tendon injury and noted some joint laxity in the elbow, indicating issues with the ulnar collateral ligament. Both team doctors and Dr. Meister believe this instability is straining the flexor muscles. They’ve recommended UCL reconstruction along with the tendon repair, although no surgery date has been set yet. Similar cases typically see a recovery timeframe of 12 to 16 months.

Lively was a surprise choice as Cleveland’s Opening Day starter this year. He stepped in after Tanner Bibee fell ill. Despite a shaky start against Kansas City, he performed well, boasting a 3.22 ERA over nine starts this season, an improvement from his 3.81 ERA in 151 innings last year. He has almost 200 innings under his belt with a solid 3.68 ERA since joining the Guardians on a $750K free-agent deal during the 2023-24 offseason.

This has been the most successful period of Lively’s career. He previously played for the Phillies and Royals and spent three years in Korea before returning to the U.S. with the Reds. After a rough time with Cincinnati, the Guardians took a chance on him, and he delivered solid performances until he felt forearm pain during a game against the Brewers last week.

Lively is currently on a $2.25 million contract and would earn a slight raise next year if offered a contract. The Guardians will have to decide whether to extend an offer, knowing he might spend most of next season recovering. By then, he’ll be approaching 35. Given his low strikeout rates and modest velocity, the team may choose to look for more cost-effective options.

This injury is a blow to Cleveland’s already struggling starting rotation. The Guardians rank 19th in both ERA and strikeout rate and 23rd in innings pitched. Lively had been leading the staff in ERA before his injury. Slade Cecconi, acquired from the Diamondbacks, is stepping in to fill his spot in the rotation. He debuted with five innings, allowing three runs.

As the team navigates this challenge, it’s worth noting that starting pitchers Shane Bieber and John Means are also recovering from their own UCL procedures. Having these experienced arms back will be crucial for the Guardians as they look to strengthen their pitching staff for the remainder of the season and beyond.

For more on injury recovery timelines and their impact on teams, you can check this recent report on Tommy John surgery.

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