CINCINNATI – The Chicago Cubs today activated right-handed pitcher Ryan Dempster and right-handed pitcher Kerry Wood from the 15-day disabled list. In corresponding roster moves, left-handed pitcher Scott Maine and right-handed pitcher Randy Wells have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Dempster, who today celebrates his 35th birthday, will make this afternoon’s start against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. He landed on the disabled list April 21 (retroactive to April 18) with a strained right quad.

Dempster is 0-1 with a 1.33 ERA (3 ER/20.1 IP) in three starts this season, walking eight and striking out 23, good for an average of 10.2 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched. He is limiting the opposition to a .157 batting average (11-for-70), including a .098 mark (4-for-41) by right-handed hitters.

In his 15th major league season, Dempster is 112-117 with 87 saves and a 4.38 ERA (1,005 ER/2,063.0 IP) in 522 games (297 starts). That includes a 62-62 record with 87 saves and a 3.83 ERA (468 ER/1,099.0 IP) in 361 games (141 starts) spanning nine seasons with Chicago, beginning in 2004. His 361 appearances with the Cubs rank ninth in franchise history. With 1,010 strikeouts for Chicago, he is just the 12th pitcher in franchise history to reach the 1,000-strikeout mark.

Wood, 34, was placed on the disabled list April 20 (retroactive to April 14) with right shoulder fatigue. He is 0-1 with an 11.57 ERA (3 ER/2.1 IP) in four relief appearances this season, walking three and striking out four.

In 2011, Wood recorded a career-high 21 holds in 55 relief appearances in his return to the Cubs following two seasons with Cleveland (2009-10) and the Yankees (2010). He held opponents to a .236 batting average last season and tied the franchise mark by striking out eight-straight batters spanning three appearances, August 5-11.

Wood owns an 86-74 career record with 63 saves and a 3.66 ERA (558 ER/1,373.2 IP) in 440 games (178 starts) with the Cubs (1998, 2000-08, 2011-12), Indians and Yankees. His 1,468 career strikeouts with the Cubs rank third in franchise history. He is the fourth pitcher to reach 12 years of service for the Cubs, joining Charlie Root (16), Guy Bush (12) and Rick Reuschel (12).

Maine, 27, owns a 1.59 ERA (1 ER/5.2 IP) with a 0-1 record in five relief appearances for the Cubs after he was recalled, April 20. He began the year with Iowa, going 1-0 with one save and a 1.42 ERA (1 ER/6.1 IP) in five relief appearances.

Wells, 29, is 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA (6 ER/8.2 IP) in two starts for Chicago following his recall, April 22. With Iowa this season, he is 1-0 with a 9.42 ERA (15 ER/14.1 IP) in three starts.