ST. LOUIS -- A scheduled off-day on Thursday has given Reds manager Dusty Baker and pitching coach Dick Pole a chance to look under the hood of the starting rotation and do some tinkering.

"We revamped some things," Baker said.

In a savvy move, Baker and Pole have set it up so their three best pitchers -- Edinson Volquez, Aaron Harang and Johnny Cueto -- get to stay on their usual four days of rest.

Volquez will start Friday's series opener at Atlanta. He will be followed by Matt Belisle and Cueto. Harang will start on Monday when the Reds return home to face the Cubs. Bronson Arroyo will start on Tuesday vs. Chicago.

"When guys are on a roll, you'd like to keep them going [on their turn]," Pole said.

Belisle's start on Saturday will come on six days' rest, two more than usual. Arroyo, who earned his first victory with a six-inning performance in Monday's 4-3 win over the Cardinals, will work on seven days of rest.

The Reds have another day off on May 8, so expect more readjustments.

"We haven't figured that out yet," Pole said.