Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Cardinals have "checked in" on Ryan Dempster.

Dempster is currently scheduled to start against the Cards Friday, but they'd prefer he switch dugouts. In all likelihood, they're probably not a major player, as the Dodgers still look like the favorites to land him, with the Nationals, Braves and Tigers also lurking.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Nationals are "trying hard" to acquire Ryan Dempster.

Heyman was told, however, that the Dodgers are still considered the favorites to land the right-hander. The Braves and Tigers are also still in the mix. Ken Rosenthal has reported that the Dempster talks could drag on for a few days, so he could make his scheduled start Friday.

Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that the Cubs and Dodgers "haven't found common ground" in the trade talks for Ryan Dempster and other teams are "being aggressive."

It's either a ploy by the Cubs to get the Dodgers to up the price, or perhaps the Dodgers are indeed no longer the favorites to land the veteran right-hander. Dempster is scheduled to start Friday in St. Louis, but the Cubs have a back-up plan ready in case he's dealt before then. The Tigers and Braves are also thought to be major players.

According to Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago, the Dodgers have made a trade proposal to the Cubs for right-hander Ryan Dempster.

It's not clear which players the Dodgers have offered or whether a deal is close. However, the Cubs acquired Justin Germano from the Red Sox on Thursday and have Casey Coleman traveling to St. Louis to join the club on Friday, so they have some insurance in place in case Dempster is traded. The veteran right-hander has drawn interest from several teams, including the Braves and Tigers.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Cubs are summoning a pitcher from Triple-A Iowa to meet them in St. Louis in case Ryan Dempster is traded prior to Friday's scheduled start.

It's not clear if a deal is close, but multiple reports have indicated that the Cubs are working hard to move Dempster this week so that they can focus on taking offers for Matt Garza. The veteran right-hander has drawn interest from several teams, including the Tigers, Dodgers and Braves. For what it's worth, Chris Rusin would be on his regular turn Friday and could be the pitcher getting the call from Triple-A.

According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, the Red Sox are "officially out" on Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster.

It's not clear how involved the Red Sox got. Stark says the Cubs are "still working to trade" Dempster quickly in the hope that they can use next week to focus on dealing Matt Garza. It's going to be a busy last half of July for Cubs president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer.

Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times was told by sources that interest in Ryan Dempster from the Yankees and Nationals isn't as strong as several reports indicate.

Most have considered the Dodgers the favorite to land Dempster, but Ginnetti also writes that the pursuit might have cooled just enough to put other teams in the picture. The Tigers, Red Sox and Braves are among the other clubs strongly in the mix. The Cubs are reportedly trying hard to move the veteran right-hander by the end of the week.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Dodgers have "by far" shown the strongest interest in Ryan Dempster.

Most have considered them the favorites to land him for a while now. ESPN's Jayson Stark reported earlier Tuesday that the Cubs were trying to deal Dempster before the end of the week, so it's very possible his next start will be in a Dodgers uniform. The Braves, Tigers, Nationals and Red Sox have also reportedly show interest in the veteran righty.

ESPN's Jayson Stark was told by one of the teams talking to the Cubs that the club is working hard to move Ryan Dempster "by the end of the week."

Not a bad idea, as Dempster currently holds a 33-inning scoreless streak. Moving him now would also allow the Cubs to set a market for Matt Garza, who will likely cost more in the way of prospects since he's under team control through 2013. Dempster is reportedly drawing interest from a long list of teams, including the Braves, Tigers, Dodgers, Nationals and Red Sox.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Nationals are exploring trades for starting pitchers, including Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster.

Dempster would be a backup plan as the Nationals prepare for shutting Stephen Strasburg down once he reaches his innings limit. Of course, Dempster is one of the most popular trade targets, so the Nationals will have plenty of competition. Rosenthal was told by sources that the Nationals are also looking for an everyday catcher and have Ramon Hernandez of the Rockies among their potential targets.

Alex Speier of WEEI.com was told by a source that the Red Sox are not actively pursuing a trade for Cubs' right-hander Ryan Dempster.

This shoots down a report by ESPN's Buster Olney, who was told that the Red Sox are "aggressive" in their pursuit of the veteran right-hander. Red Sox starters are 26th in the majors with a 4.71 ERA this season, but Speier hears that the club is taking a wait-and-see approach. Still, the Cubs won't have a tough time finding a taker for Dempster, even if the Red Sox don't get involved.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Red Sox are aggressive in their pursuit of Cubs' right-hander Ryan Dempster.

Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago reported on Sunday that ten teams have shown legitimate interest in acquiring Dempster, so the Red Sox are one of many in the mix. Given that Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are quite familiar with the Red Sox farm system, it will be interesting to see whether this will increase the chances of a deal. Dempster has five and ten rights, so the veteran right-hander has the ability to block any trade, but he has expressed willingness to join any contender.

Ryan Dempster told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal that he would be interested in joining "any contender."

Dempster has 10-and-5 rights, so he can veto trades. The Cubs are expected to accelerate talks involving the veteran right-hander this week, with a plan to focus on dealing Matt Garza next week. Dempster, 35, has a 1.86 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 92 innings this season. He's owed about $6.1 million through the end of the year and will become a free agent in the winter.

FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi reports the Tigers and Dodgers are the teams most interested in acquiring Ryan Dempster prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Morosi adds that both could also pursue Matt Garza if they don't end up with Dempster. Despite being regarded as a near-term health risk, Dempster has 11 scoreless innings since his return from the DL. The Cubs want to move him when his value is at his highest, so it wouldn't be surprising if he was traded within the next week.

ESPN Chicago reports that 10 teams have spoken with the Cubs about a possible trade for Ryan Dempster.

According to the report, interested parties include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves. Detroit has also asked about Darwin Barney and Matt Garza. The right-handed Garza has drawn scouts from the Yankees, Blue Jays, Rangers, Tigers, Dodgers and Pirates. Cubs czar Theo Epstein has less flexibility with the Dempster market, as the veteran as 10-5 veto rights. Dempster has told Epstein he will waive them, as long as he goes to a situation in which he feels comfortable.

Ryan Dempster tossed six shutout innings Saturday in a 4-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Dempster allowed just four hits while striking out five and walking three. He now has a career-best 33-inning scoreless streak, topping R.A. Dickey (32 2/3 innings) for the longest in the majors this season. The 35-year-old right-hander owns a major-league best 1.86 ERA through 15 starts and is improving his trade value with every start.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Dodgers have spoken with the Cubs about possible trades for Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza.

The Dodgers have been linked to Dempster in numerous reports already and are considered a favorite to land him, but it turns out they have also discussed the possibility of acquiring Garza. Of course, Garza will cost more in the way of prospects, as he remains under team control through 2013 while Dempster will be a free agent this offseason.

Ryan Dempster certainly didn't look rusty Sunday, tossing five scoreless innings in his first start off the disabled list in a 7-0 win over the Mets.

He gave up four hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out four. Dempster was allowed to throw just 63 pitches, but he should have no pitch limits for the start of the second half. He finishes the first half with a nifty 1.99 ERA and 1.01 WHIP.

Ryan Dempster (lat) is scheduled to start the Cubs' first game after the All-Star break.

Dempster will be activated from the disabled to start against the Mets on Sunday, and the Cubs may be maximizing the chances for interested teams to see him prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Paul Maholm, Matt Garza, Travis Wood, and Jeff Samardzija will follow him in the starting rotation.

Ryan Dempster (lat) will be activated from the disabled list to start Sunday against the Mets.

Dempster made it through his recent bullpen sessions without any issues, so the Cubs didn't think a rehab start was necessary. The 35-year-old right-hander has an outstanding 2.11 ERA and 66/22 K/BB ratio over over 12 starts this season. The impending free agent will have a handful of starts to prove his health leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.