The Cubs continued a purge of their 40-man roster Friday.
Pitcher Chris Volstad, who opened the season in the major-league rotation but spent two stints at Class AAA Iowa, was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals. Volstad, obtained last off-season from the Marlins in a trade for Carlos Zambrano, was 3-13 with a 6.31 ERA this year
The Cubs also outrighted pitchers Manny Corpas, Justin Germano and Blake Parker and outfielder Joe Mather to Iowa. Parker was activated off the 60-day disabled list before being outrighted. Corpas, a veteran who pitched creditably out of the bullpen, opted for free agency.
Earlier this week, the Cubs lost catcher Anthony Recker off waivers to the Mets and outrighted infielder Adrian Cardenas and pitchers Miguel Socolovich, Jason Berken and Marcos Mateo to Iowa. Mateo also came off the 60-day disabled list before being outrighted.
With this week's pickup of pitcher Carlos Gutierrez from the Twins off waivers, the Cubs' 40-man roster stands at 33, opening up space for off-season acquisitions and players from the minor leagues who must be added to the 40-man.
Cubs president Theo Epstein said this week the team would seek two starting pitchers. When asked about Volstad, he sounded less than bullish.
"On Volstad, we'll see," Epstein said. "I think there is some sentiment to try to improve the rotation, and as I said, we'd like to acquire a couple of starters. To the extent that has a chance to put him on the outside looking in the rotation, that's a reality."
