Ex-All-Star RP Carter sent down

ST. PETERSBURG -- On Friday, Tampa Bay optioned former All-Star reliever Lance Carter to make room for reliever Jesus Colome, and selected catcher Pete LaForest from Triple-A Durham.

Carter, the Rays' representative on the 2003 American League All-Star team, was 1-2 with a 5.16 ERA in 45 1/3 innings this season. He gave up one hit and didn't give up a run on Wednesday against Boston.

"It wasn't an easy decision," said manager Lou Piniella. "He wasn't happy. I didn't expect him to be."

Colome, returning from a rehab assignment at Double-A Montgomery, had gone on the disabled list on June 10 with right shoulder inflammation. He made three rehab appearances and pitched four scoreless innings. He is 1-2 with a 7.16 ERA in 14 big-league appearances this season.

"We'll give [Colome] some work in the middle," said Piniella. "Hopefully, he'll help us."

LaForest makes his first appearance in the Majors this season, replacing Kevin Cash. LaForest hit .270 with 21 home runs and 52 RBIs in 70 games with Durham. In 2003, he hit .167 in 19 games with the Rays.

Cash was released after hitting .161 in 13 games.