Rays send Jeremy Hellickson down

The Tampa Bay Rays optioned struggling starter Jeremy Hellickson to Class A Charlotte Tuesday and recalled reliever Jeff Beliveau, the Tampa Bay Times reports. 

Hellickson will not pitch with Charlotte, only rest. Because the Class A season ends soon, he can rejoin the Rays at that time, though nothing of that nature has been officially decided. 

The 26-year-old was 10-3 at one point this season but is now 10-8 with a 5.21 ERA. He's gone 0-5 over his last six outings for the Rays with 25 runs allowed over 25 innings. Opposing hitters are batting .385 off him over that stretch. His next start was scheduled for Saturday at Oakland, though he likely won't be making that.