ATLANTA -- Righthander Vance Worley was optioned to Class AAA Rochester on Wednesday, shortly after giving up eight runs, including three home runs, in the Twins' 8-3 loss to the Braves.

Worley's ERA rose to 7.21 after lasting just 3 2/3 innings in Turner Field, and the Twins, hopeful that he had solved his problems after allowing no earned runs in six innings last week against Boston, decided to replace him in the rotation, the second starter to lose his spot this week.

"Ultimately, he misfires too much over the middle of the plate, and you see the ball flying," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "That's what happened today -- he get the ball up and they whack it pretty good. When he's got the ball down, he does a really nice job."

The Twins will fill Worley's roster spot on Friday, presumably with righthander Samuel Deduno, who is replacing Pedro Hernandez in the rotation. They won't need a pitcher to start in Worley's place until Monday, allowing them to keep an eight-man bullpen at least through this weekend's four-game series in Detroit.

Worley was acquired, along with Class AA pitcher Trevor May, in a December trade with Philadelphia for outfielder Ben Revere.