Cubs Place Ryan Dempster on DL

The Chicago Cubs have placed right-handed starter Ryan Dempster on the 15-day disabled list with tightness in his right latissimus dorsi, reports Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago.com. The Cubs have called up Scott Maine from Triple-A and Randy Wells is expected to take Dempster’s place in Chicago’s rotation.

The 35-year-old has experienced this tightness throughout much of the month of June and during his current 22-inning scoreless streak. The injury is currently regarded as non-serious and Padilla reports the tightness isn’t expected to affect Dempster’s status at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

There has been much trade buzz surrounding Dempster, who’s recently been tied to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays.

On the season, Dempster has posted an ERA and WHIP of 2.11 and 1.012 with 7.3 SO/9 and 2.4 BB/9. He’s in the final year of his contract, earning $14 million this season.

Wells has spent the season pitching primarily out of Chicago’s bullpen. However, the 29-year-old right-hander started 82 games for the Cubs from 2009-2011. Over his five seasons in the majors, Wells has a career ERA and WHIP of 4.03 and 1.367.