Lively (illness) was activated from the COVID-19-related injured list Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Wittenmyer, Lively is slated for bulk-relief duty Thursday in Detroit once opening pitcher Derek Law exits the contest, likely after one or two innings. Before landing on the COVID-19-related IL, Lively hadn't pitched since Aug. 26, when he covered 5.2 innings. Lively didn't go out on a minor-league rehab assignment while he was on the IL, so deploying him behind an opener will allow the Reds to better manage his workload in his return to the active roster.

Lively (COVID-19) is expected to be activated and pitch bulk innings Thursday against the Tigers, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lively has not thrown since Aug. 26, when he went 5.2 innings. Reliever Derek Law, one of two active relievers not used Wednesday, will open for the Reds.

Lively (pectoral) allowed three runs on six hits and struck out five without walking a batter over 5.2 innings, taking a no-decision in Saturday's extra-innings win over the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Lively missed just over three weeks with a pectoral strain. The right-hander was the Reds' third pitcher of the contest, and he held his own with a solid outing, aside from a three-run home run by Ketel Marte in the fifth inning. Lively has gone seven appearances without a win, but he had just one truly awful outing in that span. He's at a 5.17 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 69:19 K:BB through 76.2 innings over 15 appearances (12 starts) this season. Lively is projected to make his next appearance at home against the Cubs.

The Reds reinstated Lively (pectoral) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

A right pectoral strain forced Lively onto the IL on Aug. 2, but he's now ready to return to the Cincinnati rotation. However, Lively isn't immediately expected to start for the Reds, as he's instead likely to be deployed in bulk relief behind opener Fernando Cruz in Saturday's game in Arizona. Lively didn't perform well during his rehab assignment, surrendering 10 earned runs over just 5.2 innings with Triple-A Louisville while striking out six batters and walking two. He holds a 5.20 ERA and 1.35 WHIP on the season and remains a risky fantasy option.

Lively (pectoral) could be activated from the 15-day injured list Saturday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lively has rejoined the Reds in Arizona rather than making another rehab start. He could start Saturday's game, or a piggyback situation with Brett Kennedy also seems to be on the table. Lively has been out since early August with a right pectoral strain.

Lively (pectoral) allowed four runs on four hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings for Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Lively allowed a pair of home runs, but the pitch count (76) and innings were most important. He had been scheduled to throw 85 pitches in his first rehab start Sunday but only tossed 32 (19 strikes) after allowing six runs in two-thirds of an inning. This could be Lively's final rehab outing, per MLB.com, but Cincinnati manager David Bell wants to see how the right-hander feels Saturday before making any decision.

Lively (pectoral) is scheduled to make a second rehab start Friday for Triple-A Louisville, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lively was expected to throw 85 pitches during his first rehab start Sunday but lasted just 32 pitches after allowing six runs in two-thirds of an inning. This is Lively's second stint on the injured list to a pectoral strain.

Lively (pectoral) allowed six runs on six hits and one walk over two-thirds of an inning in a rehab start for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Lively began a rehab assignment and was pulled after just 32 pitches. The right-hander had been scheduled to throw 85 pitches, per Annie Sabo of Bally Sports Cincinnati. Prior to the start, there was talk of Lively coming back to the Reds following Sunday's outing, but the short pitch count (and results) likely extends his time away from the majors.

Lively (pectoral) was sent to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday to begin a rehab assignment.

EDGE Analysis

Lively is eligible to return rom the 15-day injured list Aug. 17, but the Reds are off that day, so the first game he could start would be Aug. 18 against Toronto. If Lively pitches in Sunday's game for Louisville, that would line him up to return Aug. 18 for a start on normal rest. Lively gave up 13 earned runs in his most recent start before going on the IL, and he had a 3.24 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 25 innings in the five starts prior to that blowup outing.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Lively (pectoral) could be ready for activation when first eligible on Aug. 17, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lively landed on the 15-day injured list a week ago with a right pectoral strain after he was demolished for 13 earned runs over four innings in an ugly loss to the Cubs. It sounds like the injury is relatively minor, though it remains unclear whether he will be asked to make a rehab start before rejoining Cincinnati's active roster.