Miami, FL -- (Sports Network) - The Florida Marlins optioned pitcher Rick VandenHurk to Double-A Carolina on Sunday, after another rough start for the young right-hander.

VandenHurk gave up five hits and four runs -- two earned -- in 2 1/3 innings with four strikeouts and two walks in Florida's 9-2 loss to the Pirates on Sunday. This came on the heels of his first start of the season, when he was pulled with no outs in the third inning of the Marlins' 5-4 comeback win over the Mets on April 1, after allowing six hits and three runs.

The 22-year-old righty went 4-6 with a 6.83 earned run average for the Marlins in 2007. A corresponding roster move will be announced Monday.