Vance Worley optioned to Triple-A

The Minnesota Twins have demoted their Opening Day starter after a slow start to the season.

By Connor Moylan May 22, 2013, 7:16pm EDT

The Minnesota Twins optioned starting pitcher Vance Worley to Triple-A Rochester following his disastrous start against the Atlanta Braves on Wedensday.

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Worley, who started on Opening Day for the Twins, has struggled to start the season, going 1-5 with a 7.21 ERA in his first 10 starts. The right-hander has struggled to miss bats this season, as his strikeout percentage is currently 10.5%, which is 7.6% lower than his career average. Worley has also battled home runs issues, surrendering nine home runs in ten starts, including three on Wednesday.

His start against the Braves may have been the last straw for Worley. The 25-year-old allowed eight runs in 3.2 innings pitched, which included a grand slam hit by Atlanta rookie Evan Gattis. Wednesday marked the third time this season that Worlely has failed to throw five innings in a start.

The Twins acquired Worley and Trevor May from the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason in exchange for outfielder Ben Revere. Worley pitched well in Philadelphia, posting a 3.50 ERA over 377 2/3 innings.

Minnesota did not announce a corresponding roster move with Worley, so it is currently unknown who will replace him in the rotation. The Twins also demoted Pedro Hernandez earlier in the week, and recalled Samuel Deduno to start in place of Hernandez.