Dempster to pitch for Lansing

May 28, 2004 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Ryan Dempster, only 10 months removed from reconstructive elbow surgery, will make his second start for the Lansing Lugnuts when they play the Kernels on Monday at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Game time is 2 p.m.

Dempster, a six-year major league veteran who pitched last season for the Cincinnati Reds, underwent Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow on Aug. 4, 2003. Dempster, who was eligible for salary arbitration, was released by the Reds in November. He signed with the Cubs with the idea that he may be ready to pitch in the major leagues late in the 2004 season.

Dempster's rehab is going faster than expected. He pitched three scoreless innings in his first outing on May 26. He will pitch three innings or 45 pitches, whichever comes first, in his start against the Kernels, Cubs Director of Player Development Oneri Fleita told the Kernels.

Dempster, 27, has a 50-55 record in six big league seasons. His best seasons were 2000 and 2001 when he was 14-10 and 15-12, respectively, for the Florida Marlins. He was on the National League All-Star team in 2000 at age 23.

The Kernels are scheduled to send left-hander Micah Posey (6-0) to the mound against Dempster on Monday.

The Kernels open up their series against Lansing on Friday night at 6:30. The teams play again on Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Midwest League Stories from May 28, 2004

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