### Cleveland Guardians' Ben Lively Set for Tommy John Surgery, Facing Long Recovery - Cleveland Guardians pitcher Ben Lively, a right-handed starter, is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. This procedure is expected to sideline him for **12 to 16 months**, meaning he will miss the remainder of the 2025 MLB season and potentially all of the 2026 season as well. Lively's injury was confirmed after he sought a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister, who diagnosed a flexor tendon injury and medial elbow joint laxity due to an insufficient ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6378249/2025/05/23/cleveland-guardians-starter-ben-lively-tommy-john]. ### Breakdown of the Situation: Lively's Injury and Surgery 1. **Injury Details**: Lively has been experiencing issues with his right elbow, leading to a diagnosis of a flexor tendon injury and UCL insufficiency. 2. **Surgical Procedure**: The surgery will involve UCL reconstruction and flexor tendon repair, as recommended by both team physicians and Dr. Meister. 3. **Recovery Timeline**: The expected recovery period is between **12 to 16 months**, which will likely extend into the 2026 season. 4. **Current Status**: Lively is currently on the 15-day injured list and will be moved to the 60-day injured list when necessary to accommodate roster changes [https://www.reuters.com/sports/guardians-rhp-ben-lively-have-tommy-john-surgery-2025-05-23]. ### Supporting Evidence: Injury Impact and Recovery Expectations - **Surgery Type**: Tommy John surgery is a common procedure for baseball pitchers, aimed at repairing the UCL, which is crucial for elbow stability and function. - **Recovery Statistics**: Historical data suggests that recovery from Tommy John surgery typically ranges from **12 to 18 months**, with many athletes returning to competitive play within this timeframe [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/guardians_pitcher_ben_lively_to_undergo_tommy_john_surgery/s1_13237_42235457]. - **Team Impact**: Lively was considered one of the Guardians' more reliable pitchers during the 2024 season, making his absence a significant loss for the team moving forward [https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/2025/05/guardians-starting-pitcher-needs-elbow-surgery-will-miss-12-16-months.html]. ### Conclusion: Lively's Surgery Marks a Major Setback for the Guardians - **Major Findings**: 1. Ben Lively will undergo Tommy John surgery, which is critical for his elbow injury. 2. He is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025 season and potentially all of 2026. 3. The Guardians will need to adjust their pitching rotation significantly in his absence. - **Next Steps**: The Guardians will monitor Lively's recovery closely and will need to strategize for the upcoming seasons without one of their key pitchers [https://triblive.com/sports/guardians-right-hander-ben-lively-will-have-tommy-john-surgery-miss-rest-of-season].