Ryan Dempster shut down...has a set back

[BklynsFinest]

Ryan Dempster will be shut down after experiencing some discomfort in his left oblique during a side session on Friday.


"He threw today and it wasn't good," manager Lou Piniella said after Friday's game. "He's not going to be able to throw at all during the All-Star break. I don't think he'll even be ready for next Friday. It'll be within a few days of that." It looks like Bob Howry could get a chance to pick up a couple of more saves.

[rails80]

Maybe now someone will be interested in Howry and I can trade him. I picked him up just for that purpose but no one seemed to want him.

[Highnikan]

Arrrgh!!! Carlos Marmol sends bats in the 9th to Davy Jones’ locker. Howry needs to walk the plank mates.

[BitterDodgerFan]

yes, the real lady marmolade is probably the better option at closer based on performance...he has been lights out as of late

[BALCO All-Stars]

I read this yesterday...so I picked up Howry to vulture a few saves...nothing like getting him and having him give up 4 H and 3 ER in 1 IP for his first game on my squad...DOH!

[rails80]

Exactly. Luckily, I accepted a trade offer for him earlier today.

[dracovonborax]

any news on a return date. a post in the draft/trade boards was saying this Friday he would be returning but i havn't heard anything like that..he's probably mistaken. i was just wondering if anyone had any news on Demp?

[nyrblue2]

I know I had seen reports (including Rotoworld) that said he wouldn't be available immediately after the AS break because of a setback, but a story posted on cubs.mlb.com today said:

"Ryan Dempster (strained oblique) is expected be back immediately after the break."

So...It depends on where you look for your info. I'm leaning towards the prediction that he is back by the beginning of next week, just to make sure he's fine.

[Roberto Clemente]

Arrrgh!!! Carlos Marmol sends bats in the 9th to Davy Jones’ locker. Howry needs to walk the plank mates.

C.Marmol SHOULD be the Cubs' Closer. Period. Anyone who has watched the Cubs play and seen Marmol pitch knows this. Marmol has an Era of 0.96 and a WHIP of 1.00. Marmol has struck-out 40 batters in 28.0 Innings of work. Just filthy numbers...filthy.

Marmol also seems to possess a great Closer mentality. He drips confidence.

This is all coming from a Pirtaes fan.

[Rounders]

Arrrgh!!! Carlos Marmol sends bats in the 9th to Davy Jones’ locker. Howry needs to walk the plank mates.

C.Marmol SHOULD be the Cubs' Closer. Period. Anyone who has watched the Cubs play and seen Marmol pitch knows this. Marmol has an Era of 0.96 and a WHIP of 1.00. Marmol has struck-out 40 batters in 28.0 Innings of work. Just filthy numbers...filthy.

Marmol also seems to possess a great Closer mentality. He drips confidence.

This is all coming from a Pirtaes fan.

I don't know about "dripping confidence". He has 28 good innings under his belt, but had 77 innings last year with a 6+ ERA. I don't mind that the Cubs are going with the veterans as their closer, and putting Marmol in where they know he can succeed.