Cubs activate Dempster, Wood

By JOE KAY

CINCINNATI (AP) The Cubs activated Ryan Dempster off the 15-day disabled list to start the final game of a series against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday.

Dempster missed two starts because of a strained right thigh.

The Cubs also activated reliever Kerry Wood, who was 0-1 with an 11.57 ERA in four games before going on the disabled list with fatigue in his pitching shoulder.

Chicago optioned starter Randy Wells and reliever John Maine to Triple-A Iowa.

Wells was wild in his two starts. He gave up four runs, three hits and four walks in 3 2-3 innings of a 5-2 loss in Philadelphia on Saturday night, leaving him with a 6.23 ERA.

Maine was called up from Iowa to replace Wood. He was 0-1 with a 1.59 ERA in five games.

Updated May 3, 2012