Chicago Cubs Quick Hits: Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster and B.J Ryan

According to Chicago Tribune writer Paul Sullivan, the Cubs’ lone All-Star is likely heading to the disabled list.

“Oh gosh, we were just talking about getting [ Ryan] Dempster back,” manager Lou Piniella said. “We were happy about that, and all of a sudden, the Lilly situation [comes up]. It seems like every time we get a player, we lose one. But let’s see what the MRI says on Theodore, and we can go from there.”

Lilly has been the most consistent Cubs starter this season, going 9-7 with a 3.59 ERA.

However, the timing of the injury couldn’t be better, as Dempster is getting ready to make his first start back from a freak injury this Tuesday against the Astros.

The Cubs are also hoping that released reliever B.J Ryan can make a return to the form he had years ago before he had Tommy John Surgery.

“[Ryan] feels good about himself, and feels he still has something left in the tank,” Hendry said. “The first week has been real encouraging.”

Ryan used to be one of the best closers in the game, and consistently had save numbers in the upper 30’s along with low ERA’s in his time with the Blue Jays and Orioles.

However, this season, he has blown two saves in four opportunities and has an ERA just under seven, he is currently rehabbing in the Cubs farm system.

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