Rotation: It's set

It's no coincidence that the Reds are pitching in the following order:

Aaron Harang
Bronson Arroyo
Johnny Cueto
Josh Fogg
Edinson Volquez

Dusty Baker wouldn't quite say it, but that's how the rotation will line up for the start of the season.

"It's not set," Baker said. "We've still got some action. It's pretty set, except for that fifth spot. I hate to tell young kids that they're there too soon. Then if something happens, you've got to go back on your word. You want to keep them motivated and driven through the end of spring training."

Volquez pitched only two innings Thursday in relief of Homer Bailey because Volquez was pitching on short rest.

"(We did that) in order to get in sync for the rotation," Baker said. "Fogg did the same thing the last time. We figured Homer could handle starting more than coming out of the pen. It takes him a long time to warm-up."

Matt Belisle is out of the picture because of a sore forearm.

"He's going to throw today," Baker said. "He's falling behind."

That means Harang, Arroyo, Cueto, Fogg, Volquez and Bailey are the only healthy starters still in the mix. Bailey could theoretically move into Fogg's or Volquez's spot.