NEW YORK — Right-hander Ben Lively will be on the shelf for 12 to 18 months after undergoing surgery on his right elbow in Dallas on Wednesday.
Lively underwent ligament transplant surgery, which is also known as Tommy John surgery. Dr. Keith Meister performed the surgery. Dr. Meister also performed surgery on Lively’s right flexor tendon.
Last season Lively came out of nowhere to help the Guardians win the AL Central. He went 13-10 with a 3.81 ERA in 29 starts after signing a one-year big-league deal for just over the minimum in December of 2023.
He posted career highs in wins, innings, ERA, strikeouts and WHIP (walks + hits divided by innings pitched).
Lively made nine starts this year, leaving his ninth and final start on May 12 after throwing three scoreless innings against Milwaukee because of pain in his right elbow and forearm. He had been coping with a sore flexor tendon for much of this season.
At 33, it will be a challenge for Lively to return to the big leagues. He was originally drafted by Cleveland in 2010, but did not sign. He did sign with the Reds in 2013 after being drafted in the fourth round.
Lively made his big league debut with the Phillies in 2017.