Rangers placed RHP Ryan Dempster on the restricted list. Dempster will not make his scheduled start Saturday due to personal reasons, with Roy Oswalt getting the ball instead. It's not clear at this point how long he's expected to be away from the team. The veteran right-hander has struggled since landing in Texas, allowing 16 runs over his first three starts.

Ryan Dempster was tagged for eight runs over six-plus innings in Monday's loss to the Yankees. Dempster gave up nine hits (including two homers) and two walks while hitting a batter. He has now allowed 16 runs over his first three starts with the Rangers. It took him until his ninth start with the Cubs this season to do that. We still think the veteran right-hander will have value in mixed leagues the rest of the way, but he's not a must-start option every time out right now.

Ryan Dempster limited the Red Sox to three (unearned) runs over 6 2/3 innings in Tuesday's 6-3 victory. Dempster was shelled for eight earned runs on nine hits last week in his Rangers debut against the Angels, but he looked much more comfortable in his second outing. The veteran right-hander fanned six Boston hitters and walked just one. He'll face the Yankees next time out.

Ryan Dempster's debut didn't go quite according to plan, as he was hammered to the tune of eight runs on nine hits over 4 2/3 innings. Dempster struck out six and walked three in the game. His brutal evening began when Albert Pujols hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning, quickly followed by a monstrous home run off the bat of Mark Trumbo. Pujols then added an RBI double in the third inning, and Kendrys Morales a solo shot as part of a four-run fourth inning. After witnessing first-hand how difficult it can be to pitch at the Ballpark in Arlington, perhaps Dempster is wishing that the Cubs and Dodgers could have worked out a deal instead. He'll hope for better results when he squares off against the Red Sox in Boston on Tuesday.

Ryan Dempster will make his Rangers' debut Thursday against the Angels. They might as well throw him right into the fire. Dempster has a terrific 2.25 ERA and 1.04 WHIP this season that he won't be able to maintain in Texas, but he should provide the AL West leaders will plenty of good innings.

Ryan Dempster told Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago that he is willing to accept deals to the Dodgers, Yankees and Rangers. This confirms a report by David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com. Jack Curry of YES Network reports that the Yankees haven't been told that Dempster would waive his no-trade clause to come to New York, but that could just a formality. It seems Theo Epstein and company finally have the leverage they need in trade talks with the Dodgers.

The Yankees and Cubs have discussed a trade involving Ryan Dempster, and the veteran starter has told Chicago he would accept a trade to New York. Dempster is also on record as saying he'll accept a deal to the Dodgers. While that swap seemed like a foregone conclusion as recently as yesterday, Los Angeles appears to be dragging its heels on what prospects it will surrender in a swap. At this point, its possible that Theo Epstein and company are trying to use the Yankees and other clubs as leverage against the Dodgers. Resolution is coming.

According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, the Yankees are telling teams that they are not in on Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster. This refutes a report by David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com, who was told that the Yankees and Rangers have joined the Dodgers in pursuit of Dempster. It's possible the Cubs are leaking teams in order to get the Dodgers to meet their asking price.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports was told that nothing was close late Monday between the Dodgers and Cubs. The Dodgers are Ryan Dempster's preferred destination and after the Cubs dealt Paul Maholm to the Braves on Monday, it's very likely he'll get his wish. The Cubs are trying to include Alfonso Soriano in the deal, but the Dodgers also reportedly have their eyes on Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence of the Phillies.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Dodgers will not trade pitching prospect Allen Webster for Ryan Dempster. Chicago is pulling out all the stops with the Dodgers, the club presumed to be the only logical destination for Dempster that the veteran will accept at trade to. Not only have the Cubs targeted Webster in talks, but they have also reportedly attempted to get L.A. to take Alfonso Soriano's albatross contract in a swap. Baseball fans will get a good glimpse into both front office's ideologies going forward whether a deal is consummated or not.