The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have claimed right-handed pitcher Ben Lively off outright waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies. Lively will report to the Major League club. In a corresponding move, left-handed pitcher Eric Stout has been designated for assignment.
Lively, 26, made five starts with the Phillies this season, going 0-2 with a 6.85 ERA (18 ER in 23.2 IP) with 10 walks and 22 strikeouts in April, before being placed on the disabled list. He made three rehab appearances with Philadelphia’s Gulf Coast affiliates, before making 11 appearances (eight starts) at Lehigh Valley (AAA), where he was 3-2 with a 2.42 ERA (14 ER in 52.0 IP), holding the opposition to a .199 batting average.
Originally a fourth-round selection by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, Lively made his big league debut with the Phillies last season, going 4-7 with a 4.26 ERA (42 ER in 88.2 IP). He won his first start, 5-3 over San Francisco on June 3, 2017, allowing one run on four hits over 7.0 innings, while he worked 6.0 innings or more in 10 of his 15 starts with Philadelphia in 2017.
Following today’s transactions, the Royals Major League Reserve list remains at 40 players.
Photo credit – Eric Hartline / USA Today Sports / Philadelphia, PA