Mar 27, 2025, 01:54 PM ET
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee was scratched from Thursday’s Opening Day start against the host Kansas City Royals due to illness.
The team announced that Bibee was dealing with acute gastroenteritis and would be replaced on the mound by right-hander Ben Lively.
Bibee, 26, had been scheduled to make his first Opening Day start after finishing 12-8 with a 3.47 ERA in 31 starts last season. He struck out 187 batters and walked 44 in 173⅔ innings.
He had signed a new five-year contract with the Guardians on Saturday that multiple reports said was worth at least $48 million.
Lively, 33, had been expected to make his season debut next week during the Guardians’ road series with the San Diego Padres.
He finished 13-10 with a 3.81 ERA in 29 starts last season. For his career, he is 1-2 with a 4.60 ERA in three starts against the Royals.
Field Level Media contributed to this report.
