Guardians’ Ben Lively to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Ben Lively will miss the rest of the season due to Tommy John reconstruction surgery on his right elbow.
According to the Guardians’ announcement prior to Friday night’s game in Detroit, the date of the surgery is not yet defined. However, it is known that the procedure will be performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas. The right-handed pitcher is expected to be out of action for between 12 and 16 months.
Lively, who has been on the injured list since May 13 due to a right flexor tendon strain, sought a second opinion on his right elbow with Dr. Meister earlier this week. Meister confirmed the presence of the flexor tendon injury, and also observed laxity in the medial elbow joint due to an insufficiency of the ulnar collateral ligament.
The Guardians’ doctors and Dr. Meister recommended UCL reconstruction along with flexor tendon repair.
Lively left the May 12 game against the Milwaukee Brewers after pitching three scoreless innings.
Manager Stephen Vogt said Lively felt some discomfort after his start in Washington on May 6, but didn’t experience it again until he threw some warm-up pitches before the fourth inning six days later.
This season, Lively had a 2-2 record with a 3.22 ERA in 10 starts. He allowed only one run in 14 innings in three May starts.
