Lively allowed five runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out four over four relief innings in Tuesday's 7-0 loss to the Twins.
The plan Tuesday was not to need Lively for that many innings or at all, per Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Reds manager David Bell scripted a bullpen game and had the ability for relievers to cover the entire game instead of turning to Lively. The manager had four relievers open the game, but the plan went awry when Cincinnati fell behind early and had a lifeless offense. Bell said he plans to manage the final two weeks as if it were the playoffs, which could mean shorter outings for starters and multiple relievers.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Allows three runs in bulk relief
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Lively allowed three runs on four hits over 4.1 innings against the Tigers on Thursday. He struck out four and did not issue any walks.
Lively set down the Tigers in order after relieving Sam Moll to open the third inning but immediately ran into trouble in the fourth, yielding three consecutive hits -- including a two-run home run to Akil Baddoo. The right-hander hit another snag in the seventh, surrendering a leadoff single while also allowing a batter to reach due to a throwing error. It wasn't a great outing for Lively in his return from the COVID-19 injured list, and he's now allowed at least three runs in each of his last three appearances dating back to Aug. 1. He's also given up at least one home run in six consecutive outings.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Could be activated Saturday
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Lively (pectoral) could be activated from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Lively has rejoined the Reds in Arizona rather than making another rehab start. He could start Saturday's game, but a piggyback situation with Brett Kennedy also seems to be on the table. Lively has been out since early August with a right pectoral strain.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Makes rehab start Friday
Rotowire
Lively (pectoral) allowed four runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings for Triple-A Louisville on Friday.
Lively allowed a pair of home runs, but the pitch count (76) and innings were most important. He had been scheduled to throw 85 pitches in his first rehab start Sunday but only tossed 32 (19 strikes) after allowing six runs in two-thirds of an inning. This could be Lively's final rehab outing, per MLB.com, but Cincinnati manager David Bell wants to see how the right-hander feels Saturday before making any decision.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Yanked early
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Lively (pectoral) allowed six runs on six hits and one walk over two-thirds of an inning in a rehab start for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.
Lively began a rehab assignment and was pulled after just 32 pitches. The right-hander had been scheduled to throw 85 pitches, per Annie Sabo of Bally Sports Cincinnati. Prior to the start, there was talk of Lively coming back to the Reds following Sunday's outing, but the short pitch count (and results) likely extends his time away from the majors.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Heads to Louisville for rehab
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Lively (pectoral) was sent to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday to begin a rehab assignment.
Lively is eligible to return rom the 15-day injured list Aug. 17, but the Reds are off that day, so the first game he could start would be Aug. 18 against Toronto. If Lively pitches in Sunday's game for Louisville, that would line him up to return Aug. 18 for a start on normal rest. Lively gave up 13 earned runs in his most recent start before going on the IL, and he had a 3.24 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 25 innings in the five starts prior to that blowup outing.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Sharp in loss
Rotowire
Lively (4-6) took the loss Wednesday, allowing two runs on eight hits over 6.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out three without issuing a walk.
Lively held Milwaukee off the board for six innings until Tyrone Taylor snapped a scoreless tie in the seventh with a two-run homer, sticking the right-hander with the loss. The 31-year-old Lively has been solid of late, pitching to a 3.23 ERA over his last six outings (30.2 innings), although he's earned just one win in that span. His ERA is down to 3.76 with a 1.21 WHIP and 62:17 K:BB across 11 starts (67 innings) this season. Lively's next start is tentatively lined up for next week against the Cubs.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Activated for Sunday's start
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Lively (pectoral) was activated from the 15-day injured list for his start against the Brewers on Sunday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
The 31-year-old landed on the injured list with a pectoral strain after his last start June 20, and he'll rejoin Cincinnati's rotation for the final game before the All-Star break. Lively didn't embark on a rehab assignment, so he could have a limited workload in his first start back. The right-hander has been a solid back-end starter so far this season with a 4.11 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 45:13 K:BB across 46 innings.
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Reds' Ben Lively: On track for Sunday
Rotowire
Lively (pectoral) appears lined up to return from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday against the Brewers, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Brett Kennedy was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday after starting Tuesday versus the Nationals, so the Reds have an open rotation spot. Lively will apparently be allowed to skip a minor-league rehab assignment as he makes a swift return from the right pectoral strain that sent him to the injured list June 24.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Could return before break
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Lively (pectoral) could return from the injured list and make a start before the All-Star break, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Lively landed on the injured list Saturday (retroactive to June 21) with a right pectoral strain, though he doesn't appear to be facing an extended absence. Lively holds a 4.11 ERA and 1.26 WHIP through 46 innings this season and is eligible to return July 6 -- four days before the All-Star break.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Won't start Sunday
Rotowire
Lively will miss his scheduled start Sunday against Atlanta due to pec soreness, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
No word yet on the severity of Lively's injury, but the 31-year-old righty will officially miss at least one start due to injury. The Reds have yet to name a starter for Sunday's game, but chances are someone will come up from the minors or they will opt for a bullpen game. Lively has been struggling lately to the tune of a 6.06 ERA and 1.71 WHIP through 16.1 innings across his last three starts.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Lasts just four innings Tuesday
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Lively allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out four in four innings Tuesday against the Rockies. He did not factor into the decision.
Lively needed 80 pitches to get through four innings and only tossed 45 strikes in the effort. Tuesday was his shortest start since entering the rotation and his four walks were a season high. He allowed home runs in the first and fourth innings, which marks the fourth time in seven starts he's let up multiple long balls. Lively has still maintained respectable numbers overall, registering a 4.11 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 45:13 K:BB in 46 innings so far. He'll look to get back in the win column versus the Orioles next week.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Earns fourth win
Rotowire
Lively (4-4) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two runs on 10 hits over 5.2 innings in a 7-4 victory over Kansas City. He struck out four and didn't record a walk.
Lively had surrendered five home runs and 12 total runs over his past two starts, so Wednesday's bounce-back outing was certainly a step in the right direction. He's made eight appearances this year (six starts) and holds a 4.07 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. The right-hander's 41:9 K:BB through 42 innings stands out, so if he can avoid giving up the long ball, Lively could have solid fantasy value moving forward, especially while Graham Ashcraft (calf) and Nick Lodolo (lower leg) are on the injured list.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Hammered by Cardinals
Rotowire
Lively (3-4) allowed seven runs on 10 hits and a walk over 6.2 innings Friday, striking out eight and taking a loss against St. Louis.
Lively coughed up three two-run shots in the ugly outing. After allowing just five runs through 22.2 frames to begin the season, he's been tagged with 12 runs in his last two starts. His ERA has spiked to 4.21, though he has a solid 37:9 K:BB through 36.1 innings. Lively is expected to take the mound in Kansas City next week.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Sticks in rotation
Rotowire
Lively is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Cardinals at Great American Ball Park.
Lively will make his second straight turn through the rotation after he excelled this past Friday in his first MLB start since 2018. In the Reds' 6-2 loss to the Yankees, Lively struck out eight over 5.2 innings while allowing just two runs on two hits and one walk. He stretched out to 85 pitches in that outing, so he should face few restrictions with his workload -- if any -- when he makes his second straight turn through the Cincinnati rotation.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Strikes out eight in first start
Rotowire
Lively (1-2) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk over 5.2 innings in a 6-2 loss to the Yankees. He struck out eight.
Lively's first two appearances in the big leagues were as a bulk reliever, but he drew his first MLB start Friday against New York. Despite taking the loss, it was a valiant effort for the right-hander, who retired 16 straight batters at one point. He struck out the first two hitters in the sixth but was pulled with 85 pitches (50 strikes) after issuing a two-out walk to Aaron Judge. With Nick Lodolo (lower leg) likely out for a while, Lively figures to remain in the rotation as long as he continues to pitch effectively.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Earns win in bulk relief
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Lively (1-0) was credited with the win against the Mets on Thursday, allowing four hits and striking out one batter over three innings.
Derek Law drew the start for the Reds and went 1.1 frames. Cincinnati put up four runs in the bottom of the first, and Lively was credited with the victory as a result of following Law and keeping New York off the scoreboard over his three innings. This was Lively's first major-league win since 2017 and his first big-league appearance since 2019. The right-hander looks to be in line to fill the void left when Luis Cessa was designated for assignment Tuesday, though it's not yet clear if Lively will be working entirely as a bulk reliever or if he may see traditional starts.
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Reds' Ben Lively: To get bulk of innings Thursday
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Reds manager David Bell said Lively will handle a "significant amount" of innings in Thursday's series finale against the Mets, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Lively might not get a traditional start, but he'll at least serve as the bulk reliever. The 31-year-old right-hander was called up from Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday after the Reds designated Luis Cessa for assignment and looks to be set up for an extended run in a sort of rotation or swingman role. Lively had posted a 2.33 ERA across 27 innings this season at Triple-A, though there isn't much swing-and-miss in his arsenal.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Called up to Cincinnati
Rotowire
The Reds selected Lively's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.
Lively will join the big-league roster after being assigned to the minors in early March. The right-hander has produced an impressive 2.33 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 16 strikeouts over 27 innings in five appearances, including four starts, with Louisville in 2023. With Luis Cessa being designated for assignment Tuesday, Lively could step right in Cincinnati's starting rotation.
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Reds' Ben Lively: Reassigned to minor league camp
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Lively was one of seven non-roster players reassigned to the Reds' minor-league camp Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Joining Lively were Andrew Abbott, Connor Phillips, Alan Busenitz, Alex McGarry, Jhonny Pereda and Allan Cerda. Lively spent all of last year at Triple-A Louisville, posting a 4.09 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 77 innings there.
