The Royals optioned Lively to Triple-A Omaha on Monday.
Lively was only used once out of the bullpen during his week-and-a-half-long stay in Kansas City, giving up three runs over a one-inning appearance April 28 against the Angels. The Royals will swap him out for another long-relief option in Glenn Sparkman, who was recalled from Omaha in a corresponding move.