Cubs’ Dempster to miss start vs. Nationals
Another starting pitcher is down for the Cubs.
Manager Mike Quade announced after Sunday’s 3-1 win over the White Sox that Ryan Dempster will not start Monday in Washington, as scheduled.
Dempster was hospitalized Saturday for a stomach ailment. On top of that, Dempster said his back locked up.
So the Cubs will call up right-hander Casey Coleman to start against the Nationals. They’ll recall Coleman from Class AAA Iowa and option reliever Chris Carpenter to Iowa.
That means all five members of the Cubs’ season-opening rotation have either spent time on the disabled list or have missed at least 1 start.
“I was sick over the last couple of days back to Wednesday,” Dempster said after Sunday’s game. “I stayed in the hospital last night for some tests to make sure everything was all right.
“As the days have gone by, I got locked up in my back. I’m trying to get that worked out. I took some fluids yesterday. So hopefully feel better in the next couple of days and push the start back a few days.”
Coleman was with the Cubs earlier this year. He went 2-4 with a 7.78 ERA in 10 games, 8 starts. The Cubs will go with another emergency starter, Ramon Ortiz, Tuesday against the Nationals. Ortiz is taking the spot of Carlos Zambrano, who is on the DL with lower-back soreness.
Boffo box office: The three-game series with the White Sox drew 125,692 to mark the second-largest three-game total at Wrigley Field. This year#146;s series with the Yankees was the largest, at 126,283.Sunday#146;s crowd of 42,311 was the largest of the season and the largest in Cubs-Sox history at Wrigley Field.Minor matters:The Cubs have sent pitcher Hayden Simpson, their No. 1 draft choice from last year, from Class A Peoria to Mesa of the Rookie League.Simpson has struggled all season, going 1-6 with a 5.72 ERA. He battled a bad case of mononucleosis last year, delaying his professional debut.The Cubs also appear close to signing this year#146;s third-round draft pick, outfielder Zeke DeVoss, out of the University of Miami. DeVoss was at Wrigley Field on Sunday taking batting practice and working out with the team.