CHICAGO — The Guardians’ rotation can’t catch a break.
Ben Lively, making his 26th start of the season, was helped off the field Tuesday night at the end of the second inning after taking a line drive off his right thigh off the bat of Chicago right fielder Dominic Fletcher.
The ball deflected off Lively, who went to the ground, right to first baseman Josh Naylor who made the last out. The exit velocity on the pitch was 81.3 mph
Pedro Avila replaced Lively to start the third inning.
The Guardians announced Lively’s injury as a right thigh contusion.
Trainer Jeff Desjardins, manager Stephen Vogt and pitching coach Carl Willis helped Lively off the mound. Just before he reached the dugout, Lively was walking under his own power.
The Guardians are already slow-playing Alex Cobb because of a blister. It is not known if Lively will have to go on the injured list where fellow starters Carlos Carrasco and Shane Bieber reside. Bieber is out for the season, while Carrasco is recovering from a strained left thigh.
If Lively can’t make his next turn, the Guardians are still carrying lefty Joey Cantillo, who struck out 10 and retired 20 straight White Sox in Monday’s 5-3 win.
