Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Chicago Cubs have announced that right- hander Ryan Dempster has signed with the team to retire and join the front office as a special assistant to president Theo Epstein.
A two-time All-Star, Dempster missed all of last season, citing health and family issues. He last pitched in 2013 and won a World Series championship with the Boston Red Sox that year.
Dempster struggled that season, though, as he pitched to a 4.57 ERA and allowed 249 baserunners in 171 innings. He also did not make a start during the Red Sox' World Series run.
The 37-year-old spent nine of his 16 major league seasons with the Cubs from 2004-12. Dempster won a career-high 17 games with Chicago in 2008, when he returned to a starting role after working as the Cubs' closer the previous three years.
Dempster retires with a career mark of 132-133 with 87 saves and a 4.35 ERA over 579 games (351 starts). The British Columbia native also pitched for the Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers in addition to the Cubs and Red Sox.
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