Ben Lively Fantasy Stats

The Cleveland Guardians announced on Friday that right-hander Ben Lively (elbow) is expected to have season-ending surgery on his right elbow in the coming days with Dr. Keith Meister, with a timetable to return in around 12 to 16 months. Meister confirmed the presence of a flexor-tendon injury while also noting medial elbow joint laxity due to an insufficient UCL. Doctors believe Lively's joint laxity is placing added stress on the flexor muscles and have recommended UCL reconstruction along with flexor-tendon repair. Fantasy managers can now safely drop the 33-year-old in redraft fantasy leagues, and it's likely Lively will miss at least half of the 2026 season as well. Slade Cecconi, who is making his second start of the year on Friday against the Tigers, could stick around in Cleveland's rotation for a while, at least until the return of Shane Bieber (elbow).

The Cleveland Guardians placed right-hander Ben Lively (forearm) on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday with a right flexor-tendon strain and recalled right-hander Zak Kent from Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move, according to MLB.com's Tim Stebbins. Lively was pulled from his start early on Monday night against the Milwaukee Brewers after experiencing forearm inflammation, and now he'll miss at least the next two weeks. Fantasy managers should be prepared for the 33-year-old veteran's absence to extend into June. In the short term, it's expected that Kolby Allard will step into Lively's rotation spot in Cleveland, making him a waiver-wire candidate in AL-only formats. Lively has been solid in his nine starts in 2025 with a 3.22 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, but his 16.3% strikeout rate leaves a lot to be desired for fantasy managers.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Ben Lively (forearm) left his start early on Monday after tossing a couple of warmup pitches in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers with right-forearm inflammation, according to MLB.com's Tim Stebbins. Before departing, Lively had thrown three shutout innings with one hit allowed, two walks and a strikeout. We'll have an update on the severity of the 33-year-old's injury once the Guardians get test results back on Lively's arm, but fantasy managers should at least expect him to miss his next scheduled start and possibly land on the 15-day injured list. Coming into his start on Monday, Lively had gone 2-2 with a 3.46 ERA (4.58 FIP) and 1.20 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and 13 walks in 41 2/3 innings over his first eight starts. His fantasy value is limited, though, as more of a pitch-to-contact hurler.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (illness) was scratched from his start on Opening Day due to food poisoning. As a result, the Guardians will give right-handed pitcher Ben Lively the starting nod. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Bibee's status, but he should be ready to make his next scheduled start. Lively posted a 3.81 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP across 151 innings last season. He tallied 118 punchouts and served up walks at a modest 7.8 percent rate. He also generated a 4.00 xERA with a .240 xBA, which were both slightly below the average marks. Given Lively's low strikeout upside, he should not be targeted in any DFS competitions facing the Kansas City Royals, who will have first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (hamstring) active.

The Cleveland Guardians chose to include veteran right-hander 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.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander 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.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander 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.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander 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.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Ben Lively struck out six and gave up just three hits in six innings during the Guardians 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday. Lively picked up the win and improved his record to 9-6 while his ERA dropped to 3.44 on the season. The 32-year-old has been having a very solid and under-the-radar season for the Guardians and has been a major boost for their rotation after Shane Bieber was forced to have Tommy John surgery at the beginning of the season. With a 1.17 WHIP, Lively should be on fantasy managers' radars as a sneaky pick-up that should provide consistent results. His next scheduled start is set for Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Ben Lively put together a strong outing against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday. It was his second outing of the season and both have come against the Red Sox. On Tuesday, Lively tossed 6 1/3 innings and allowed five hits, one run, zero walks and struck out seven on the evening. The 32-year-old has now allowed just three runs with 14 strikeouts and one walk over 11 1/3 innings. The Guardians always seem to have a pitcher factory churning and Lively could be the latest diamond in the rough for the franchise. It is still very early and both his starts have come against a injury plagued Red Sox lineup, but if Lively can toss another gem against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, he will be worth rostering in most formats.