CLEVELAND, OH – In a significant move to strengthen their pitching lineup, the Cleveland Guardians have officially signed right-handed pitcher Ben Lively to a Major League contract for the 2024 season. This announcement brings the team’s 40-player roster to its full capacity.
Lively, aged 31, brings a wealth of experience to the Guardians, having had a mixed season in 2023. He split his time between the Cincinnati Reds and their Triple-A affiliate, the Louisville Bats. Over 19 games, including 12 as a starter for the Reds, Lively recorded a 4-7 win-loss record with a 5.38 ERA. In his 88.2 innings pitched, he conceded 96 hits and 53 earned runs while striking out 70 batters.
The 2023 season saw Lively begin at AAA Louisville before being promoted to the Reds on May 9. His tenure with the Reds was interspersed with three stints on the Injured List, reflecting a challenging year for the pitcher. Lively’s professional journey began with the Cincinnati Reds, who drafted him in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft from the University of Central Florida. The Gulf Breeze, Florida native was later traded to the Philadelphia Phillies ahead of the 2015 season and made his MLB debut with them in 2017.
Lively’s career also includes an international stint in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) with the Samsung Lions, where he played from the second half of 2019 through to the end of the 2021 season. His return to the Reds in 2022 marked his re-entry into American baseball.
This new signing by the Cleveland Guardians is a strategic move, bringing a seasoned pitcher into their fold. Lively’s diverse experience, both in the MLB and internationally, is expected to add depth and versatility to the Guardians’ pitching staff as they gear up for the 2024 Major League season. His ability to serve both as a starter and a reliever could provide the Guardians with valuable flexibility in managing their pitching rotation and bullpen strategy.
