Guards finalizing Minors deal to bring back Lively (TJ recovery)

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Ben Lively will continue his recovery from Tommy John surgery with the Guardians, who are finalizing a two-year Minor League deal with the right-hander that is expected to be made official in the coming days.

Lively is already with the Guardians at their Spring Training facility in Arizona and has a locker in the clubhouse, as the reunion between him and the club is nearly set in stone.

Lively underwent Tommy John surgery this past June, so later this summer is likely the soonest he could be a potential option for the Guardians. He is currently throwing at 75 feet in his rehab progression. The two-year deal offers him a chance to contribute at some point this year and take on a larger role in 2027.

Lively has spent the past two seasons with Cleveland in a six-year big league career that included a stint in Korea in between from 2019-21. His familiarity and comfort with the Guardians organization was a motivating factor in his desire for a reunion.

“I’ve been around the block,” Lively said. “It’s a great medical staff. That's all I can really focus on, is the great group of guys here. It's hard to get away from this kind of culture that's been built in this building. It's just fun to be around no matter what."

Lively was a pleasant surprise for the Guardians in 2024. He recorded a 3.81 ERA and ranked second on the team in starts (29) despite not debuting until April 17. He was having a strong ‘25 (3.22 ERA over nine starts) before he went on the IL May 13 with a right forearm strain, which preceded his surgery.

Lively opted to elect free agency after the Guardians outrighted him to Triple-A Columbus on Nov. 6. The unknown that came with that move was part of an emotional offseason for the 33-year-old. Lively’s father, Ed, passed away the first week of October. Two weeks later, on Oct. 16, Lively and his wife, Hailie, welcomed their daughter, Lucie, into the world.

“Those were the craziest months of my life,” Lively said. “It's been crazy putting a lot of pieces together. … Everyone's got their journey. There's just a lot of things you go through, and everyone figures it out.

“That just put a lot of things in perspective for me, going through that kind of stuff. It was really hard. But like I said, it puts into perspective and makes you realize what you have to focus on.”

On the field, Lively is focused on his recovery. He said his arm is feeling really good, and he’s ready to get his throwing program rolling along further. He knows he and the Guardians need to play things smart to ensure he gets where he needs to be.

But he’s also motivated to get back to doing what he loves.

“I know we're gonna take it -- not really slow, but they know I don't hold back much,” Lively said, chuckling. “So I'm gonna get after it pretty quick.”