Ryan Dempster (lat) is hoping to return Saturday.

Dempster made it through another bullpen session Wednesday without feeling discomfort in his troublesome right lat. He sure seems to be fully recovered, but the Cubs may play it safe and hold off on activating the veteran right-hander until after the All-Star break. Dempster is one of Chicago's better trade chips this summer.

Ryan Dempster (lat) will throw another bullpen session Wednesday before the Cubs decide the next step for him.

It will likely involve throwing to live hitters, or perhaps they'll let him go straight to a rehab assignment. Barring any setbacks, Dempster is expected back not long after the All-Star break.

Ryan Dempster (lat) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday.

Dempster was cleared for flat ground work Saturday and resumed throwing earlier this week. He remains on track to return shortly after the All-Star break.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Dodgers are viewed as a favorite to acquire Ryan Dempster (lat) once he returns from the disabled list.

The Dodgers' offense has been their biggest issue recently, but Heyman writes that they are looking for one veteran starter to bolster their rotation. Dempster resumed throwing earlier this week and isn't expected to return until after the All-Star break, but the Dodgers are said to be at or near the top of the list of interested clubs. The Braves have also been mentioned as a possibility.

Ryan Dempster (lat) is not expected to rejoin the Cubs' rotation until after the All-Star break.

Dempster resumed throwing earlier this week but has yet to try tossing from a mound. The Cubs are understandably taking it slow with him, as they don't want him to aggravate his lat injury and kill his trade value. As long as he comes back to make a couple starts before the trade deadline, the Cubs will be happy.

According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Cubs are willing to eat part of Ryan Dempster's contract in a trade.

The Northsiders will be looking for a prospect (or package of prospects) in return. Dempster, 35, has registered a sparkling 2.11 ERA in 81 innings this season. He's making a salary of $14 million and is set to hit the free agent market five days after the conclusion of the 2012 World Series. The Dodgers are known to have some level of interest in executing a trade.

Cubs placed RHP Ryan Dempster on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 16, with right lat tightness.

Unfortunate timing all around. Dempster hasn't allowed a run in three straight starts and currently has a 2.11 ERA and 66/22 K/BB ratio over 81 innings this season. The Cubs are saying it's not considered serious, but the veteran right-hander will have to prove his health to interested suitors leading up to the trade deadline.

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Ryan Dempster will probably be the first Cub traded in the expected upcoming fire sale.

"Maybe in (the) next 10 to 14 days," writes Olney, who reports that the Dodgers and Red Sox are leaders in the clubhouse for the veteran hurler's services. The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo reported earlier that Dodgers scouts were in attendance Friday as Dempster shut out the Red Sox for seven innings. Dempster, now 3-3 with a 2.11 ERA, is expected to waive his no-trade clause. Olney additionally reports that a Matt Garza trade is more likely closer to the July 31 deadline and that the Cubs haven't spoken with Alfonso Soriano about waiving his no-trade.

Ryan Dempster shut out the Red Sox for seven innings to win his third straight start on Friday.

The Cubs prevailed 3-0, shutting out the Red Sox for the first time since the 1918 World Series. Dempster hasn't allowed a run in 22 innings over his last three outings and is now 3-3 with a 2.11 ERA for the season. He helped himself out by going 2-for-3 with an Adrian Gonzalez-aided triple and a run scored today.

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that Ryan Dempster "is coveted by several would-be contenders, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees."

Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reported earlier this week that the Dodgers were after the right-hander. Wittenmyer also notes that Dempster has "talked with management more than once about the prospects of being traded and waiving his no-trade rights." The veteran right-hander seems likely to waive the clause, and it would be a surprise at this point if he's not moved before the deadline.

Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports that the Dodgers are "definitely interested" in a trade for Cubs' right-hander Ryan Dempster.

Knobler notes that the Dodgers were also interested in Dempster two years ago, but that the veteran right-hander didn't want to leave and the Cubs ultimately decided to keep him around. Of course, things could be different this time around, as he is due to hit free agency following the season. Dempster has full no-trade rights as a 10-and-5 player, so he can dictate the process, he has already indicated that he would be willing to accept a deal in the right situation.

Ryan Dempster held the Twins to just four hits in eight shutout innings Sunday, improving to 2-3 in Chicago's 8-2 road victory.

Dempster struck out six and walked one as he won his second consecutive start after going winless through his first nine outings. The owner of an elite 2.31 ERA to go along with his 1.03 WHIP and 63/20 K/BB ratio, Dempster will get the Red Sox at home next weekend.

During an appearance on ESPN 1000 in Chicago on Wednesday, Ryan Dempster indicated that he would be open to a trade.

"I think I would be doing everybody in that locker room and anybody who is a Cubs fan and most importantly the Cubs organization a huge disservice if I didn't put all my focus and attention on trying to make my start and do the best I can to help us win," said Dempster. "You're in a situation where if it does happen, they are going to do what's best for the Chicago Cubs, and I'm all for that." Dempster has full no-trade rights as a 10-and-5 player, but it sounds like he'd welcome an opportunity to pitch for a contender in the right situation. The 35-year-old right-hander is in the final year of a four-year, $52 million contract and figures to be a pretty marketable trade chip for the rebuilding Cubs.

Ryan Dempster dazzled the Brewers on Tuesday to earn his first victory of the season, allowing just three hits over seven scoreless innings.

He punched out three and didn't walk a hitter in the game. He now sits at 1-3 on the year, though his 2.59 ERA remains among the best in the league. Dempster is enjoying a tremendous resurgence after a rough 2011 season, and should be a strong contender for comeback player of the year honors. He'll look to keep on rolling when he takes on the Twins in Minnesota on Sunday.

Ryan Dempster was tagged for six runs and three homers in 4 1/3 innings by the Padres on Wednesday.

The winless Dempster has pitched to the score this season, but in a bad way. Today's 8-6 victory was the third time the Cubs have scored at least four runs in a Dempster start. Unfortunately, he's given up at least four runs himself in all of those games. In his other six outings, Dempster has allowed a total of seven runs, five of which were earned.

Cubs president Theo Epstein told Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times that he has spoken to Ryan Dempster about staying in Chicago beyond 2012.

Epstein was noncommittal when asked about the possibility of trade, adding that there has been ``open dialogue'' between the two sides about Dempster's future with the organization. ``Long term, sure. We'll have to take a realistic look at where we are," said Epstein. While Dempster is off to a hot start this season and should be an attractive piece at the trade deadline, he has the ability to veto any trade.

Ryan Dempster has indicated that he would prefer to stay with the Cubs rather than being traded.

Dempster would figure to be a hot commodity at the trade deadline, but he has the ability to veto any deal. ``I want to be here and be part of what's going to be a bright future,'' he said. ``Sometimes you have to endure some of the tough times in the present to get to that. We'll just see how it goes.'' The veteran right-hander is slated for free agency this winter after making $14 million this season.

Ryan Dempster allowed one run on seven hits and stuck out six in Friday's loss to the Pirates.

Dempster went seven strong innings but was the victim of poor run support. Of his 106 pitches, 75 were for strikes. His only walk came in the fifth inning against Andrew McCutchen. Despite the loss, Dempster is now tied for sixth in the National League with a 2.14 ERA.

Ryan Dempster allowed three hits over eight scoreless innings Thursday in a no-decision against the Reds.

Dempster left with a three-run lead, but it was blown by the combination of Carlos Marmol and Ian Stewart in the ninth. Dempster might be 4-0 right now for another team, but since he's a Cub, he's 0-1 with a 0.95 ERA.

Cubs activated RHP Ryan Dempster from the 15-day disabled list.

Dempster missed a little more than two weeks because of a right quad strain and will return to action on Thursday with a start against the Reds in Cincinnati. The 35-year-old has an impressive 1.33 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 23/8 K/BB ratio through his first three starts (20 1/3 innings) this season.