Gibsons' Ryan Dempster has been going back to where it all began this spring - the minor leagues.
Dempster's long road back to the majors has taken him to minor league parks all over the U.S. mid-west.
On Tuesday night he completed his stint with the Lansing Lugnuts, the Midwest League Single A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.
Dempster pitched into the fifth inning, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out six in the Lugnuts 5-3 win over Kane County.
Dempster made five starts with Lansing, pitching 14-plus innings, giving up 19 hits and five runs and striking out 19.
The numbers are encouraging, but even more encouraging for the right-hander has been his ability to recover from elbow surgery, which ended his season last August.
"I knew it was going to be a long road back, but I'm committed to pitching again in the majors," Dempster said on Monday. "I'm feeling really good and my arm hasn't felt this good in a long time. The most important part is getting healthy and getting to a point where I can contribute.
"It's been an interesting road back. The travel has been tough, but I've gotten to play in some nice little ballparks, so that's made the rehab worth it. I've also gotten a chance to spend a lot of time in Chicago with the team. I think I've been at every home game."
Dempster's next stop is Iowa with the Cubs' triple A affiliate where he will pitch in four or five games, trying to build up his pitch count and continue his rehab. He hopes to be ready to return sometime in mid-July or early August.
A 15-game winner with the Florida Marlins in 2001, Dempster's career was put on hold Aug. 4, 2003 when he underwent Tommy John reconstructive surgery on his right elbow.
After being released by the Cincinnati Reds shortly after the surgery, Dempster signed a two-year deal with the Cubs earlier this year.
The Cubs didn't pencil Dempster into their starting rotation this year. Right now, the Cubs boast one of the best pitching staffs in the majors with Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Matt Clement, Carlos Zambrano and Greg Maddux.
But early season injuries to Prior and Wood could change Chicago's plans for Dempster once he's ready to return to the big club.
"I haven't talked to Dusty [Cubs manager Dusty Baker] yet on what my role could be with the club," Dempster said. "My goal is to get back health-wise to a point where I'm ready to go out and win ball games. The team has had a good start despite the injury problems. Other guys have stepped in and filled the void. Hopefully I can be one of those guys.
"If I'm coming out of the bull pen or as a starter, it doesn't really matter. I just want to get back and finally get a chance to pull on that Cubs jersey."
