7/3 Dempster scratched; Coleman to start

Ryan Dempster was scratched from Monday’s scheduled start against the Nationals because of a sore back and illness, and Casey Coleman will go for the Cubs instead. Dempster (5-6, 4.99 ERA) was hospitalized overnight Saturday as a precaution. He was expected to make one more start before the All-Star break. The problem is not related to a hip strain he felt June 8.

“He’s under the weather,” Mike Quade said. “He’s got a little hip and back issue. We expect him to pitch on this trip before the break but we’ll back him off several days. He had a rough day [Saturday] and he looks better today. We’re going to give him a few days and we’ll see how he feels.”

The Cubs open a seven-game road trip Monday against the Nationals and finish with a weekend series against the Pirates.

Coleman was 2-4 with a 7.78 ERA in 10 games with the Cubs, making eight starts. Chris Carpenter will be optioned to Iowa to make room on the roster for Coleman.

– Carrie Muskat