MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins are sending Eury Perez back to the minor leagues after an impressive two-month stint in the majors.

The 20-year-old Perez debuted in May as Miami's youngest starting pitcher ever. Over 11 starts, the right-hander had a 5-3 record with a 2.36 ERA and 61 strikeouts. He had a poor outing against Atlanta on July 1, lasting one-third of an inning, giving up six runs and seven hits in an eventual 7-0 loss.

Marlins general manager Kim Ng said Friday that with the starting rotation starting to get healthy -- some key pitchers are expected back from the injured list in the next week or so -- optioning Perez gives the team a chance to rest him.

"You definitely feel for players when you have to send them out," Ng said, "but he was a pro."

The team has been careful with Perez's workload since he was called up May 12. He hasn't gone deeper than six innings, and his 93 pitches in Thursday's loss to St. Louis matched a season high.