Ryan Dempster allowed one run on two hits in two innings of work against the A's on Monday. He fanned two and walked none. Dempster turned in a 2.57 spring ERA last season before posting a disastrous 9.57 mark in 31 April frames. He was solid the rest of the way, however, registering a 3.94 ERA and 162/66 K/BB ratio in 171 1/3 innings after May 1.

Ryan Dempster exercised his option with the Cubs. The news comes as no surprise considering the Cubs owe him $14 million next season which is well above his market value. Dempster eclipsed the 200 inning mark for the fourth consecutive year, but posted his worst statistical season since 2003. The 34-year-old right-hander went 10-14 with a 4.80 ERA and .271 opponent batting average in 2011, while seeing his strikeout number decline. Chicago will look to explore options that would allow them to buy him out of his current contractual status.

Cubs starter Ryan Dempster was shelled by the Padres on Wednesday, giving up nine earned runs on eight hits and four walks with seven strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings in a 9-2 loss. It was a fitting finish to the season for Dempster, who ends 2011 with a 10-14 record and 4.80 ERA over 202 1/3 innings. Eclipsing the 200 inning mark for the fourth straight year, the 34-year-old pitched had arguably his worst season since 2003, which was his last season with Cincinnati. Unless Chicago finds a way to buy Dempster out of his $14 million player option for 2012, it won't be his last season with the Cubs.

Ryan Dempster will start the season finale next Wednesday against the Padres. It could be his final start as a member of the Cubs, though we fully expect him to exercise his $14 million player option for next season. Casey Coleman will start the series opener on Monday while Matt Garza makes his final start of the season Tuesday.

Ryan Dempster was unable to get past a poor first inning Sunday, giving up three runs on seven hits and two walks over seven innings in a loss to the Astros. He struck out two. All three runs Dempster allowed came home in the first, and by the time he settled in, the damage was already done. The veteran right-hander is winless over his last seven outings despite posting quality starts in all but one of them. He'll shoot for win No. 11 in St. Louis next weekend.

Ryan Dempster allowed three runs on 10 hits and two walks in six innings on Wednesday, taking a no-decision in Chicago's 6-3 win over the Reds. Dempster struck out two in his eighth quality start in nine outings. Now the owner of a 4.74 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 169/64 K/BB ratio through 176 2/3 innings, he'll get the Reds again next Tuesday, this time in Cincinnati.

Ryan Dempster is expected to exercise his $14 million player option for next season. Dempster, 34, isn't sure what the team will look like next year with a new general manager coming in, but he lives in Chicago full-time now and is not looking to leave. It's possible he might try to re-negotiate a multi-year extension in lieu of picking up the option. ''Sometimes when you're sitting there and you have uncertainty and you don't know, things can be intimidating," Dempster said. "But at the same time, it can be exciting, especially with people like [the Ricketts ownership], and especially Tom [Ricketts]. As much as he's done in his professional life, to think what he's going to do with the Cubs is actually kind of exciting.''

Ryan Dempster held the Brewers to three runs over six innings Monday in a 3-0 loss. He struck out eight and walked three while giving up six hits. He'd won three consecutive starts prior to this evening, but still remains above .500, at 10-9, on the season. He'll take a 4.60 ERA into a date against the Brewers this weekend.

Ryan Dempster limited the Nationals to one run and three hits over seven innings to pick up his 10th win Thursday. Jordan Zimmermann matched Dempster for six innings, but the Cubs got to him for three runs in the seventh and went on to win 4-3. Dempster moved to 9-1 with a 2.82 ERA against the Nationals in his career. He's won three straight starts.

Ryan Dempster was pounded for six runs in three innings by the Phillies in a loss Wednesday. Desmpter didn't even get to bat in his one, as he had his worst outing since giving up seven runs in one-third of an inning against the Diamondbacks on April 28. He gave up as many earned runs today as he did in his previous four starts combined.