Slumping Atlanta Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur has been sent to the minors to work on his hitting.
Braves spokesman Brad Hainje said Friday that Francoeur was optioned to Double-A Mississippi.
Francoeur heard boos as he went 0-for-4 Thursday night to drop his batting average to .234 with eight homers and 41 RBIs. He hit only .206 in June and is 1-for-12 in three games this month.
Braves manager Bobby Cox had moved Francoeur, who was expected to join Chipper Jones, Mark Teixeira and Brian McCann in the middle of the lineup, down to seventh in the batting order. He hit .293 with 19 homers and drove in 105 runs last season.