"The Reds made one very conventional move and one very unconventional move to open a roster spots Tuesday.

To make room for Aroldis Chapman and Aaron Harang, the Reds placed Laynce Nix on the 15-day disabled list and optioned Edinson Volquez to Single-A Dayton.

Why send Volquez, a former All-Star and 17-game winner to Dayton? Because he can return sooner. If the Reds optioned him to Louisville, he would have to stay in the minors 10 days or until the Bats' season ends.

Dayton's season ends Monday. Volquez could be back shortly thereafter and could be on the playoff roster.

The Reds moved Volquez to the bullpen after two bad starts.

"He was in the 'pen simply because he wasn't pitching effectively," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He's in our plans as a starter, not a reliever. (Pitching coach Bryan Price) has made some mechanical changes. We'd rather have him experiment with those changes there."

If the changes work, Volquez could be back in the rotation.

"We're looking at him as a quality starter when he has his act together," Baker said. "In case a couple of guys don't do well or a guy looks like he's fatiguing or tired, we can insert him in there. There's nothing wrong with his arm. It's just a matter of mechanics and location. It gives us viable options in September and hopefully into the playoffs.""