Ben Lively DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.