DETROIT -- The Rays have optioned reliever Steve Geltz to Triple-A Durham.
They announced the move after Sunday's 9-4 loss to the Tigers at Comerica Park. In a corresponding move, Tyler Sturdevant has been selected. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 1.56 ERA and two saves in 14 appearances at Durham.
Geltz pitched well for the Rays in 2015, going 2-6 with a 3.74 ERA in 70 appearances, but he's struggled this season.
Sunday afternoon, he allowed his seventh home run of the season when Victor Martinez hit a two-run homer to left. He's given up runs in six of his last nine appearances.
"He's in a tough stretch," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Figured get him down to Triple-A, let him have some success, feel good about himself again. We know he's a pitcher who can help us out simply because of what he did last year. The type of attitude that he has, he'll get back to being in a good spot."
Geltz is 0-2 with a 6.06 ERA in 17 games this season.
"I'm not going to lose any faith," Geltz said. "It's a demotion, but it's for a cause. There's a reason for it. It's just performance. ... Can't expect to stay up here with that."