Top pitching prospect Jeremy Hellickson was pulled from his start for Triple-A Durham after just three innings and 37 pitches today, but the Rays say it is just a matter of "monitoring his workload" and not related to injury or trade.

While the Rays are reluctant to trade Hellickson, rumors immediately started flying that perhaps he was going to be promoted this weekend if the Rays traded someone off their current staff. Hellickson, 23, has thrown 114 2/3 innings, matching his total from 2009. In 2008, he threw 152.
 
There also has been talk of promoting him and using him out of the bullpen down the stretch, so it's possible this move could be part of the transition.