Rays option Jeremy Hellickson to minors

The Rays optioned right-handed starter Jeremy Hellickson to High-A Charlotte, first reported by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

#Rays optioned Hellickson to Charlotte

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) August 27, 2013

Jeff Beliveau was called up from Triple-A Durham to replace Hellickson and will pitch in middle relief.

Hellickson, who had high expectations coming in to the season, has been terrible this year. In 27 starts, Hellickson has posted a 5.21 ERA and has put up a 9.15 ERA in five starts in August. He will not throw a pitch in Charlotte and will return to the majors when the Florida State League regular season concludes on September 1.

So why is Hellickson being sent down?

"Just primarily to give him a little bit of a rest,'' manager Joe Maddon told the Tampa Bay Times. "He's well physically; we just thought giving him a little bit of a break would be very important right now. Obviously the more recent performances have not been great. And the fact that he is not injured, we felt the next best thing was to give him a little bit of a break.''

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