Dempster focused on being productive: The Sports Xchange reports Cubs SP Ryan Dempster earned the opening day start last year, supplanting the recalcitrant Carlos Zambrano, who was traded to Miami this offseason. Dempster said he wasn't worried about where he fits in the rotation at the beginning of the season. "If I do, I want to win it," he said of pitching opening day. "Things like that probably used to mean more to me when I was younger. For now, I just want to have the healthiest season I can and as productive a season I can to help us win." (Updated 01/29/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Dempster won 10-plus games for a fourth straight season in 2011, but he dropped to 10-14 with a 4.80 ERA -- his highest ERA since the last time he was a reliever in 2007. Dempster still struck out 191 batters in 202 1/3 innings -- the fourth straight season he surpassed 200-plus innings -- so helped Fantasy owners in that area. The biggest thing with Dempster in 2011 is that he got hit hard and walked 80-plus batters. If he can improve in those areas, then his numbers will go back up across the board. It's just that Dempster remains more of a back-of-the-rotation arm in mixed leagues on Draft Day. (Updated 01/29/2012).
02/09/2012 05:02 2012 Fantasy outlooks: Chicago Cubs
Chicago has a new front office and several new names to consider on Draft Day. Our Scott White breaks down the Cubs in a Fantasy team outlook.
02/02/2012 12:21 2012 Draft Prep: Our 12-team, mixed Rotisserie draft
It's time for owners to start looking ahead to Draft Day. We get you off and running with our 12-team Rotisserie mock draft. Check out the results!
After posting a 3.49 ERA with at least 11 wins over the previous three seasons, Ryan Dempster took a step back for the Cubs in 2011. He went 4-5 with a 6.32 ERA in his first 13 starts before settling down a bit. He would go 6-9 with a 3.93 ERA over his final 21 outings to finish the year with a 4.80 ERA -- his highest mark since 2006. Despite his down campaign, the right-hander has recorded double-digit wins with 200-plus innings each of the last four seasons, and has also posted respectable strikeout totals. While he will likely not see a ton of run support in Chicago this season -- as the Cubs are in rebuilding mode -- the 34-year-old still has his place in Fantasy. Target Dempster in the middle-to-late rounds in mixed leagues on Draft Day. (Updated 1/30/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start