Ryan Dempster, a 17-game winner last season for the Chicago Cubs, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday due to a broken right toe.

Dempster was scratched from his start Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves and replaced by Carlos Zambrano.

The Cubs recalled right-hander Kevin Hart from Triple-A Iowa, one day after he'd been optioned back to the minors.

Dempster is 5-5 with a 4.09 ERA in 17 starts for the Cubs this season. There was no immediate word on how he was injured. Dempster pitched last Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Dempster made the switch back to starter last season after being the Cubs closer for three years. He went 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA in 33 starts and was picked for the All-Star team in 2008.