CLEVELAND, Ohio — Guardians right-hander Ben Lively is heading to the 15-day injured list with a right flexor tendon strain, the club announced Tuesday.

The Cleveland Guardians need the rest of their starting rotation to step up their performance following the injury to Ben Lively.

Ben Lively was a surprise Opening Day starter for the Cleveland Guardians this season. Expected to be a middle-of-the-rotation arm, Lively stepped in for the team's expected ace Tanner Bibee after manager Stephen Vogt scratched Bibee because of a minor injury.