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Phillies Call-Up Ben Lively as Neshek Goes on Paternity Leave

By George Stockburger

Mar 7, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ben Lively (72) throws a pitch during the fifth inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Phillies won 11-6. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ben Lively (72) throws a pitch during the fifth inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. The Phillies won 11-6. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lively has dominated in the Phillies minor league system

Injuries have rocked the Phillies 25-man roster in recent days, but the latest hole has developed for good reason.

Reliever Pat Neshek is on paternity leave with his wife expecting the couple’s third child. Their first son didn’t survive his first day of life, and their second experienced health issues following birth. Hopefully the Neshek family welcomes a healthy child into the world this week, and the 36-year-old can enjoy some time off the field.

Replacing Neshek on the Phillies 25-man roster is prospect Ben Lively, who could make his major league debut against the Mets in Queens.

Lively is primarily a starting pitcher, but the lack of minor league relievers on the Phillies 40-man roster ties up the number of options at the organization’s disposal.

Sep 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; From left to right Philadelphia Phillies general manager Matt Klentak and top prospects pitcher Ben Lively and outfielder Dylan Cozens and first baseman Rhys Hoskins prior to a game against the Chicago White Sox at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; From left to right Philadelphia Phillies general manager Matt Klentak and top prospects pitcher Ben Lively and outfielder Dylan Cozens and first baseman Rhys Hoskins prior to a game against the Chicago White Sox at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

If Vincent Velasquez or Aaron Nola struggle to get out of the fifth inning again, expect Lively to see a long relief appearance for his major league debut.

Acquired from Cincinnati in return for outfielder Marlon Byrd, Lively was awarded the Paul Owens Award, given to a player in the Phillies minor league system who had the best season.

Lively cruised through Double-A Reading in 2016, and made a clean transition into Lehigh Valley. His 18-5 record and 2.95 ERA were among the best in the organization last season.

Next: Phillies Opposition Roadblock: New York Mets

The 25-year-old righty is 1-1 through two starts with the IronPigs this season with a 4.91 ERA after allowing four earned runs against Pawtucket last week.

His time in the big leagues will more than likely be short, but Lively will undoubtedly take in the experience before returning to Triple-A.

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