07-23-2009, 08:22 PM
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->X-rays of Ryan Dempster's right big toe Thursday showed excellent healing, the Cubs said, and the right-hander could return to the rotation sometime next week.
Dempster threw 60 pitches on Wednesday in Philadelphia and felt he could start on Sunday, but the team wanted to wait for the X-ray results before setting a day. Kevin Hart will start Sunday for the Cubs against the Cincinnati Reds.
Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild said Dempster could possibly return as early as this weekend, but manager Lou Piniella said that might be a little too optimistic.
"I'm not as optimistic," Piniella said Wednesday. "I think on the next turn in the rotation, we can put him in Wednesday or Thursday [against the Astros]."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Dempster threw 60 pitches on Wednesday in Philadelphia and felt he could start on Sunday, but the team wanted to wait for the X-ray results before setting a day. Kevin Hart will start Sunday for the Cubs against the Cincinnati Reds.
Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild said Dempster could possibly return as early as this weekend, but manager Lou Piniella said that might be a little too optimistic.
"I'm not as optimistic," Piniella said Wednesday. "I think on the next turn in the rotation, we can put him in Wednesday or Thursday [against the Astros]."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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