Carrie Muskat of Cubs.com is reporting that SP Ryan Dempster will not be ready to return to the Chicago Cubs rotation until after the upcoming 2012 All-Star Break.

Dempster was in the middle of a career year with the Cubs, sporting an impressive 2.11 ERA and 3.25 FIP through 12 starts. The 35-year-old veteran is widely considered one of the team's top trade chips, but as long has he is on the injury list, the team may have difficulty finding a trade partner.

In Dempster's absence, the Cubs have used a variety of starters, including SP Randy Wells -- recently optioned back to Triple-A Iowa -- and SP Travis Wood -- who was acquired in the RP Sean Marshall trade and has pitched well since joining the club.

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