Ben Lively Could Return Before All-Star Break
Ben Lively (pectoral) could be back with the team to start a game before the All-Star break. Lively is dealing with a minor right-pectoral strain that landed him on the injured list last Saturday, and he appears to be progressing nicely. The 31-year-old made his return to the big leagues this year for the first time since 2019 with the Kansas City Royals, and he's gone 4-4 with a 4.11 ERA (5.12 FIP), 1.26 WHIP, 13 walks and 45 strikeouts in 46 innings covering nine appearances (seven starts) for the Reds. Lively will be eligible to return from the injured list on July 6. He has pitched much better than anyone expected in his return to the majors, but he may not have a spot in the rotation in the second half of the season once the Reds get some of their injured pitchers back.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Source: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
Alex Cobb Included, Ben Lively Left Off ALDS Roster
Alex Cobb (finger) on the roster for the American League Division Series against the division-rival Detroit Tigers, with right-hander Ben Lively being the odd man out. Injuries were the story for Cobb in 2024, as he opened the year on the injured list with the San Francisco Giants and then finished the season with the Guardians on the IL due to a blister issue on his right finger. The 36-year-old is apparently doing better now, but he'll most likely be used in a long-relief role out of the bullpen in the postseason. He only made three starts for Cleveland this year, posting a 2.76 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, 10 K's and three walks in 16 1/3 innings. In two career postseason games back in 2013 with the Tampa Bay Rays, Cobb gave up only two earned runs with 10 K's and three walks over 11 2/3 innings in his two starts.
Source: Cleveland Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians chose to include veteran right-hander Source: Cleveland Guardians
Ben Lively To Start On Sunday
Ben Lively (thigh) is listed as the team's probably starter for Sunday's contest against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Lively won't have to miss a start after taking a comebacker off his right thigh his last time out against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday in the second inning. The 32-year-old exited with only a bruise and ended up being a disappointing fantasy streamer in an excellent matchup. He'll be looking to bounce back on Sunday after allowing 10 earned runs on 17 hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out only eight in 10 1/3 innings over his last three starts. Fantasy managers will certainly be hoping for more depth out of Lively, as he hasn't gone over 4 1/3 innings since Aug. 24 against the Texas Rangers. In his lone start against Tampa in 2024, Lively took a loss, giving up two earned runs on two walks and seven K's in 5 1/3 frames.
Source: MLB.com
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Source: MLB.com
Ben Lively Injures His Thigh
Ben Lively (thigh) exited his start early on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field due to a right-thigh bruise. Lively hit the deck after taking a comebacker off the bat of outfielder Dominic Fletcher to his thigh. He was helped off the field and removed from the contest. Fantasy managers that were streaming Lively in an excellent matchup have to be disappointed about his early exit. Before being helped off the diamond, he tossed two scoreless frames while allowing a hit, walking none and striking out two. At the very least, the 32-year-old will be questionable to make his next start, and he could also land on the 15-day injured list, which would put him at risk of missing the rest of the regular season as the Guardians try to clinch the American League Central.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times - Daryl Van Schouwen
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Source: Chicago Sun-Times - Daryl Van Schouwen
Ben Lively Starting On Tuesday
Ben Lively is getting the starting nod on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Rookie Joey Cantillo got the start in Lively's place for the series opener against Chicago and was lights-out in seven innings of work. The Guardians were looking to give Lively an extra day of rest, and he'll now be even more attractive in the best matchup a pitcher could ask for. The 32-year-old has struggled of late, giving up 10 runs in his last two starts, but he now has the perfect bounce-back opportunity against the worst team in baseball. You better believe Lively will be a popular fantasy streamer on Tuesday. Since the All-Star break, Lively has struggled to a 4.98 ERA (5.33 FIP) with 18 walks and 30 strikeouts in his nine starts. In his two starts against Chicago in 2024, he's allowed six earned runs while walking four and fanning eight in 11 2/3 frames.
Source: MLB.com
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Source: MLB.com
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