Lively exits start early with right forearm inflammation

CLEVELAND -- Ben Lively's start in the Guardians' 5-0 victory over the Brewers on Monday at Progressive Field was cut short when the right-hander exited due to right forearm inflammation.

Lively took the mound to warm up for the top of the fourth inning, but he soon was joined by head athletic trainer Jeff Desjardins, manager Stephen Vogt and pitching coach Carl Willis. After a brief conversation among the group, Lively walked off the mound with Desjardins.

After the win, Vogt said Lively will undergo testing on Tuesday and the team will have more answers then. Vogt noted the right-hander dealt with the issue in his last start -- Game 2 of the Guardians’ doubleheader against the Nationals last Tuesday. Lively pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings and threw just 63 pitches before Vogt called on lefty reliever Tim Herrin in the sixth.

“He dealt with it a little bit last year, and then his last start in Washington was dealing with it,” Vogt said of Lively. “That's why we got him out of there early. Felt great, and then just wasn't going away. So we just wanted to be safe and get him out of there.”

Lively threw three scoreless innings before exiting on Monday and allowed one hit and two walks while striking out one. The right-hander has been one of the Guardians’ most consistent starting pitchers this season. In nine starts, he has a 3.22 ERA (first among Cleveland starters) in 44 2/3 innings (second).

Jakob Junis entered in relief of Lively and issued a single, a double and a walk to load the bases, but he escaped without allowing a run. Kolby Allard followed with three scoreless innings on 45 pitches.

Gabriel Arias knocked a three-run double in the fourth and made his fourth straight start at shortstop after the Guardians optioned Opening Day shortstop Brayan Rocchio to Triple-A Columbus earlier in the day.

José Ramírez went 1-for-2 with two walks and three stolen bases, tying a career high. It was his third career game with three steals (also Aug. 12, 2016 and Aug. 26, 2021).

It’s too early to know whether Lively will need to miss his next start, and because the Guardians have an off-day on Thursday, they technically do not need a fifth starter until May 20 against the Twins. But should Lively miss any time, Cleveland has a few avenues it could take.

Allard has made 42 career starts in the Majors and could be an option if the Guardians are comfortable with how stretched out he is. The lefty has been stellar as a length option out of the bullpen since the Guardians selected him from Columbus on April 26. He has recorded a 1.20 ERA in 15 innings over five appearances -- three of which have been at least three innings.

“Like I keep saying: Any role, any kind of situation, I’m just trying to go up there and put up a zero, no matter how that looks,” Allard said of his success this season.

Allard allowed one run on six hits in six innings of relief on April 26 against the Red Sox, and he threw 64 pitches. He allowed one run on one hit in four innings on May 3 at the Blue Jays while throwing 53 pitches.

“Kolby takes the ball whenever we ask, and he's been nothing but great,” Vogt said. “Whether it's long relief or like today -- three solid, solid innings that we needed. Just continuing to keep them off the board and not really get into trouble either. Kolby has been able to make pitches when he needs to in every role.”

Looking at potential options in Columbus, lefty Doug Nikhazy (the Guardians’ No. 21 prospect, per MLB Pipeline) has a 4.68 ERA in 25 innings over six starts. He made his MLB debut on April 26 vs. Boston, when he allowed six runs on five hits and six walks in three innings.

Right-hander Slade Cecconi has made three rehab starts with Columbus in his recovery from a left oblique strain he suffered in Spring Training. He’s building up his pitch count and has worked up to 68 pitches and 5 2/3 innings -- both on Sunday, when he allowed two runs on six hits. His four-seamer averaged 94.8 mph and maxed at 96.6.

Cecconi began his rehab assignment on April 30, and pitchers are afforded a 30-day rehab window. It may be premature for him to be activated.

“We’re continuing to build him up as a starter,” Vogt said on Sunday. “I don't know the exact timeline of when that rehab window closes. But then we'll have a decision to make. We want to make sure that he gets a full Spring Training, so to speak, and not rush back.”