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NL Central Standings

Team W-L L10 STRK
91-69 7-3 W3
82-78 4-6 L4
82-78 4-6 W1
75-85 5-5 L1
69-91 2-8 L3

2023 Pitching

STATS IP
Innings Pitched
W
Wins
L
Losses
ERA
Earned Run Average
SO
Strikeouts
BB
Base on Balls (Walk)
Regular Season 86 4 7 5.44 79 23

Top Ben Lively News

  • Reds' Ben Lively: Needed for bulk relief

    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: Slated for bulk relief Tuesday

    Lively is expected to work as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Fernando Cruz in Tuesday's game against the Twins, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

    After being activated from the COVID-19-related injured list last Thursday, Lively looks poised to make his second consecutive appearance as a bulk reliever. While working behind Derek Law in an 8-2 loss to the Tigers in his return to action, Lively took a no-decision after giving up three earned runs on four hits and no walks while striking out four over 4.1 innings. Cruz is expected to work just an inning or two Tuesday before turning the game over to Lively, who is the Reds pitcher most likely to factor into the decision. Looking ahead, Lively could end up sticking as a pure reliever, as the Reds have three remaining off days that would allow the team to get by with a four-man rotation the rest of the way. After tossing seven innings of two-run ball in Monday's 7-3 win, Connor Phillips could be poised to remain in the rotation as the No. 4 pitcher rather than Lively.

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  • Reds' Ben Lively: Allows three runs in bulk relief

    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: Activated, set for bulk duty

    Lively (illness) was activated from the COVID-19-related injured list Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

    Per Wittenmyer, Lively is slated for bulk-relief duty Thursday in Detroit once opening pitcher Derek Law exits the contest, likely after one or two innings. Before landing on the COVID-19-related IL, Lively hadn't pitched since Aug. 26, when he covered 5.2 innings. Lively didn't go out on a minor-league rehab assignment while he was on the IL, so deploying him behind an opener will allow the Reds to better manage his workload in his return to the active roster.

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  • Reds' Ben Lively: Expected to pitch Thursday

    Lively (COVID-19) is expected to be activated and pitch bulk innings Thursday against the Tigers, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

    Lively has not thrown since Aug. 26, when he went 5.2 innings. Reliever Derek Law, one of two active relievers not used Wednesday, will open for the Reds.

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  • Reds' Ben Lively: Placed on COVID-19 IL

    The Reds placed Lively on the COVID-19 injured list Friday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

    Lively was originally scheduled to start the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs, but he'll now be forced to miss at least one week. Lyon Richardson will come up from Triple-A Louisville and replace Lively as Friday's starter.

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  • Reds' Ben Lively: Effective in return

    Lively (pectoral) allowed three runs on six hits and struck out five without walking a batter over 5.2 innings, taking a no-decision in Saturday's extra-innings win over the Diamondbacks.

    Lively missed just over three weeks with a pectoral strain. The right-hander was the Reds' third pitcher of the contest, and he held his own with a solid outing, aside from a three-run home run by Ketel Marte in the fifth inning. Lively has gone seven appearances without a win, but he had just one truly awful outing in that span. He's at a 5.17 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 69:19 K:BB through 76.2 innings over 15 appearances (12 starts) this season. Lively is projected to make his next appearance at home against the Cubs.

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  • Reds' Ben Lively: Could be activated Saturday

    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: Activated from IL

    The Reds reinstated Lively (pectoral) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

    A right pectoral strain forced Lively onto the IL on Aug. 2, but he's now ready to return to the Cincinnati rotation. However, Lively isn't immediately expected to start for the Reds, as he's instead likely to be deployed in bulk relief behind opener Fernando Cruz in Saturday's game in Arizona. Lively didn't perform well during his rehab assignment, surrendering 10 earned runs over just 5.2 innings with Triple-A Louisville while striking out six batters and walking two. He holds a 5.20 ERA and 1.35 WHIP on the season and remains a risky fantasy option.

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  • Reds' Ben Lively: Makes rehab start Friday

    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: Next rehab start coming Friday

    Lively (pectoral) is scheduled to make a second rehab start Friday for Triple-A Louisville, MLB.com reports.

    Lively was expected to throw 85 pitches during his first rehab start Sunday but lasted just 32 pitches, allowing six runs in two-thirds of an inning. This is Lively's second stint on the injured list due to a pectoral strain.

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  • Reds' Ben Lively: Yanked early

    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

    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: Might return when eligible

    Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Lively (pectoral) could be ready for activation when first eligible on Aug. 17, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

    Lively landed on the 15-day injured list a week ago with a right pectoral strain after he was demolished for 13 earned runs over four innings in an ugly loss to the Cubs. It sounds like the injury is relatively minor, though it remains unclear whether he will be asked to make a rehab start before rejoining Cincinnati's active roster.

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  • Reds' Ben Lively: Placed on injured list

    The Reds placed Lively on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a right pectoral strain.

    Lively's pectoral injury could help explain why he allowed 13 earned runs over four innings during Tuesday's blowout loss to the Cubs. The 31-year-old righty will now be sidelined for the next two weeks. Meanwhile Daniel Duarte will come up from Triple-A Louisvile to fill Lively's roster spot.

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  • Reds' Ben Lively: Tagged for 13 runs in blowout

    Lively dropped to 4-7 on the season after allowing 13 runs on 13 hits and two walks over four innings in a 20-9 loss to the Cubs on Tuesday. He struck out two.

    Lively was roughed up early, allowing five runs before recording an out. The onslaught continued from there, as he gave up multiple runs in each of his four innings. The 31-year-old had been pitching well prior to this start, allowing three earned runs or less in each of his previous six outings. However, allowing 13 earned runs in this game caused Lively's season-long ERA to jump from 3.76 to 5.51. Lively will look to bounce back in his next start, which is tentatively lined up for this weekend against the Nationals.

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  • Reds' Ben Lively: Sharp in loss

    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: Fans six in no-decision

    Lively didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 9-6 win over the Diamondbacks, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out six.

    The journeyman right-hander came up one out short of collecting his fifth win of the season, getting the hook after 76 pitches (49 strikes) following a two-out RBI triple by Ketel Marte that shrunk Cincinnati's lead to one run. Lively hasn't thrown more than 80 pitches in any of his last four starts as manager David Bell has him on a short leash -- while he has a solid 3.44 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB through 18.1 innings over that stretch, he's completed five innings only once and has zero wins, putting a firm cap on his fantasy utility. Lively is next set to take the mound on the road next week in Milwaukee.

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  • Reds' Ben Lively: Expects to make next start

    Lively left Sunday's game against the Brewers after four innings with cramping, but he said he expects to make his next start, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

    The right-hander was effective on the mound Sunday, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out three over four innings. Reds manager David Bell suggested afterward that the heat got to Lively, who was forced off the mound after 57 pitches. It doesn't sound like he's is in any danger of missing his next start, but fantasy managers should still proceed with caution given Lively's underwhelming supporting metrics.

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Player Bio

HT/WT: 6-4, 235 lbs
Birthplace: Pensacola, FL
Age: 31
School: UCF
Experience: R
Bats/Throws: R, R