The Royals have claimed right-handed pitcher Chris Volstad off waivers from the Cubs. Acquired from the Marlins for Carlos Zambrano, Volstad was 3-12 with a 6.31 ERA in 21 starts for the Cubs, and 3-5 with a 5.17 ERA in 12 starts at Triple-A Iowa. He opened the season in the Cubs rotation but went 0-6 in eight starts before he was optioned to Iowa on May 18. He rejoined the Cubs Aug. 1, and went 3-5 with a 5.18 ERA in his final 12 starts. He snapped a 24-start winless streak with a win Aug. 26 against the Rockies. It was his first win since July 10, 2011, against the Astros.

The Cubs front office had hinted that Volstad would not be a part of the 2013 rotation. They are expected to add two more starters for next season.

– Carrie Muskat

It’s the last night game of the season Tuesday at Wrigley Field as the Cubs play Game 2 of their final series vs. the Astros. The Cubs have gone 10-19 so far in night games at Wrigley. Since lights were installed in 1988, the team is 254-253 (.501) in 507 home night games. The 30 home night games this season are a single-season franchise mark for the Cubs, surpassing 29 night games played at Wrigley Field in both 2010 and 2011

Here’s the lineup:

DeJesus RF

Barney 2B

Rizzo 1B

Soriano LF

Castro SS

Valbuena 3B

Castillo C

Jackson CF

Volstad P

– Carrie Muskat

Chris Volstad has two starts remaining, including Thursday in the series finale against the Rockies. The right-hander has set specific goals for those games, although he wouldn’t reveal them.

“There are goals I’ve set for myself and things I want to accomplish,” he said.

His record may not show it, but Volstad (3-10, 6.22 ERA) says this has been a good year for him.

“This is the year when I’ve learned the most as far as how to use my stuff individually, how to attack hitters, how to study that type of thing, as opposed to just relying on other people to do it or guide me along,” Volstad said Wednesday. “It’s definitely a learning process and it’s taken a little bit of time but this is the year when I’ve grown the most.”

He has been busy studying video to learn the best way he can use his pitches to be most effective.

“It also gives you added confidence knowing you have something you’re going to do and you’re the one in control of what you’re doing and not the other way around,” he said. “It’s ’All right, this is what I’m doing here,’ and you go out and do it.”

 – Carrie Muskat