Guardians notes: RHP Ben Lively replaces injured RHP Alex Cobb on ALCS roster

NEW YORK — Right-hander Alex Cobb's postseason is over. Cobb, who was acquired at the trade deadline to give the Guardians' rotation a veteran boost, was removed from the ALCS roster prior to Game 2 at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday with an acute lower-back strain. Right-hander Ben Lively replaced Cobb among Cleveland's group of 26 players and is a candidate to replace Cobb, who was scheduled to start Game 5 at Progressive Field on Saturday night. "Obviously we're working through a lot," manager Stephen Vogt said. "First of all, I have to talk about how bummed we are for Alex, everything he's been through this year and with us, in and out of the IL, and for him to have a new back strain, I just feel for him and what he's been through and so thankful for what he gave us." "In light of that, Ben will be on the roster, and he'll be available out of the bullpen, but we also have the option to start him later as the series goes. We're still working through what we're going to do Games 3, 4, and 5." Cobb, who was limited by finger issues to three starts upon joining the Guardians, left his outing Monday night in Game 1 after only 2 2/3 innings and allowing three runs on five hits and three walks. He pitched only three innings in Cleveland's Game 3 ALDS loss to the Tigers. Lively joined the rotation to replace Shane Bieber after the Guardians' ace was lost to Tommy John surgery two starts into the season. He performed admirably, posting a 13-10 record and 3.81 ERA over 29 starts, but was left off the original ALDS and ALCS rosters. "Of course I understand it. Yeah, it was tough," Lively said of Vogt's decision. "I pushed myself pretty hard this year, just to get the first time, getting this opportunity to be in the playoffs. It's done, but I'm going to use it (as motivation)." "Ben's been one of our most consistent starters," Vogt said. "I think the thing with Ben is he's uber-competitive. He attacks the zones. He throws strikes. He has the ability to keep people off balance. We've seen it all year long with Ben. "We trust him. We love having him. We know he's going to go out and compete and give us everything he has." In closing Emmanuel Clase had heard of Mariano Rivera, arguably the greatest closer in major league history. He just didn't think he was all that. "I knew who he was. It's not like I admired him when I was a starter," Clase said through an interpreter of his days in the rotation early in his professional career. "Once I became a reliever, I started to look more into what he does and how he handles things. "I think that's what I learned from him, his composure and how he handles all the pressure and how he handles his emotions, especially in a situation where he comes up to pitch." Clase has clearly learned well. The right-hander put up one of the greatest seasons ever by a closer this year, leading the majors in saves for the third straight season with a career-high 47 while posting a 0.61 ERA over 74 appearances. Clase was really good from 2022-23. He was great this season, warranting rare Cy Young consideration for a relief pitcher. "I feel it comes down to time, being able to put in practice, everything that you've learned and the experience," Clase said. "I've got a lot of failures and things to learn from while being here. So I think the key is putting in practice, all the lessons I've learned through the time and how I know myself a little more as a pitcher." The 26-year-old Dominican has found his comfort zone in Cleveland, thriving since his acquisition from the Rangers in a trade for longtime ace Corey Kluber and serving a 60-game suspension in 2020. "I always knew they were a very competitive team, and I was really happy since I got here," Clase said of the Guardians. "I felt really welcomed. Throughout the time that I've been here, I feel really always comfortable. So I really feel that it is a good organization since Day 1." Roundin' third The Guardians have four Gold Glove finalists — second baseman Andres Gimenez, left fielder Steven Kwan, third baseman Jose Ramirez and shortstop Brayan Rocchio. Kwan and Gimenez have won two straight Gold Gloves, while Ramirez and Rocchio are in contention for their first. Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @CAwesomeheimer on X.