Rays option SP Jeremy Hellickson to Class A Charlotte

The Tampa Bay Rays have optioned struggling starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson to Class A Charlotte, and called up Jeff Beliveau from Triple-A, the club announced on Twitter. 

Hellickson won't pitch for the Charlotte Stone Crabs -- he's simply going down to rest.

Hellickson has a 5.21 ERA and 1.35 WHIP this season in 27 starts and 153 2/3 innings. Opponents have hit .278 against him. He rebounded in June and July after a tough start to the season, but has struggled badly in August, posting a 9.15 ERA and 2.13 WHIP in five starts and 20 2/3 innings. 

Hellickson allowed five earned runs in 2 2/3 innings Monday night against Kansas City, as the Royals crushed the Rays 11-1, prompting Tampa Bay to take action. 

The Rays are confident Hellickson's not hurt, tweeted the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin, and were thinking of pushing back his next start, before deciding to send him to Charlotte. Hellickson was not happy with the decision, even though he'll rejoin the club in September. 

Hellickson was one of the Rays' best starters in 2011 and 2012. He posted a 3.02 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 60 starts and 366 innings over the past two years. 

Jeff Beliveau heads to Tampa Bay with a 2.62 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 44 2/3 innings of relief with Triple-A Durham. He's struck out an impressive 76 batters.