CHICAGO – Any plans the Cubs had to trade one of their top assets are on hold for the foreseeable future.

Ryan Dempster, who is sidelined on the 15-day disabled list with tightness in his right lat, will not return to the rotation until after the All-Star break, manager Dale Sveum said Friday. Dempster has not pitched since throwing seven innings of shutout ball June 15. He was expected to take his first steps to test his arm by throwing 120 feet before Friday’s game.

Dempster is in the final year of his contract but, despite great numbers (2.11 ERA and 1.025 WHIP), he’ll need to prove he’s healthy before the July 31 trade deadline for the Cubs to secure a decent return.