FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Boston Red Sox placed pitcher Frank Castillo on unconditional release waivers Wednesday and offered outfielder Adrian Brown back to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Wednesday was the last day Boston could release Castillo, 6-15 with a 5.07 ERA last season, and not have to pay his entire salary. Castillo will be paid $200,000 of his $800,000 salary.

General manager Theo Epstein said money wasn’t a factor, but did say that Castillo’s contract gave the team fewer options for keeping him in the minors.

“It was a baseball decision,” Epstein said, “what they can do for us on the mound and what kind of flexibility they offer.”

Castillo was one of five pitchers battling for two final spots in manager Grady Little’s bullpen.

“It was a tough decision for us,” Little said. “He took it like a man, and we wish him the best.”

If no team claims Castillo off waivers, he would become a free agent. He could end up back in the Boston organization but could not play in the majors before May 1. Castillo has a career 82-103 mark and 4.55 ERA in his career with Boston, the Chicago Cubs, Colorado, Detroit and Toronto.

Brown, picked in the winter meeting draft in December, had to be on Boston’s opening day roster.

or be offered back to Tampa Bay. Epstein said he didn’t know if the Devil Rays planned to claim him. If they don’t, Boston would like to have him back, but wouldn’t be willing to trade for him, he said.

Little said Damian Jackson, who plays infield and outfield and was battling with Brown for a roster spot, had made the team. He also announced the team would carry 12 pitchers instead of 11, but that he wouldn’t settle on a bullpen until this weekend’s final two exhibition games in Atlanta.

AP-ES-03-26-03 1721EST