Castilla

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Vinny Castilla finally got his wish.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays released the third baseman on Thursday, two days after Castilla was benched for not advancing a baserunner.

"It was the right time," Tampa Bay general manager Chuck LaMar said. "I think he feels that in his mind, and we feel it in ours. I think it got to a point where Vinny wanted out of here and wanted a clean slate."

Castilla, who asked to be traded or released last month after being benched, was hitting .215 with two homers and nine RBI.

Castilla, who was acquired in a trade with the Colorado Rockies in December 1999, was pulled from Tuesday's game after failing to advance a runner on second and no outs.

"Things just didn't work out for me here," Castilla said. "I couldn't get it going. I tried, and it just didn't happen here. Noboby is happy when you are released ... maybe somewhere else things will work out."

In 109 games with Tampa Bay, Castilla hit .219 and homered just eight times. He played just 85 games last season because of various injuries. From 1995 through 1999, Castilla hit at least 32 homers each season for the Rockies.

Tampa Bay manager Hal McRae and LaMar met after Wednesday night's game to review the Castilla situation.

"I think it's best for Vinny," McRae said. "As he stated, he was under the microscopic and wasn't having any fun. Sometimes it doesn't work out. Hopefully, change will have a positive effect on his baseball career."

Tampa Bay also optioned pitcher Ryan Rupe to Triple-A Durham and placed pitcher Mike Judd on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder soreness. The Devil Rays recalled pitchers Travis Phelps, Dan Wheeler and Ariel Prieto from Durham.

LaMar said Castilla had "nil" trade value. Should another team sign Castilla, the Devil Rays will be responsible for all but $200,000 of his $7.25 million contract.

"I think he'll be signed quickly," LaMar said. "For the other teams, it's a no-lose situation. Here's a veteran who has put up good numbers and he's healthy. For $200,000, let's give it a shot."

Castilla was acquired for pitcher Rolando Arrojo and infielder Aaron Ledesma.

"It was obviously a trade that didn't work out," LaMar said. "The player itself doesn't bother us about the trade. I'd make that part of the trade again. Taking on $13 million over the last two years, that's where it really caused a problem for the organization. (It's time to) admit a mistake and go on down the road."

Former Tampa Bay teammate, outfielder Greg Vaughn, said he felt Castilla was trying to hard this season.

"He's a good man. You hate to see bad things happen to good people," Vaughn said. "It was just time for him to move on."

Aubrey Huff will replace Castilla in the starting lineup.

"Playing every day is going to help me a lot," Huff said. "I just want to come in here now, get the opportunity to play everyday and do the job I've always done throughout the minor leagues."

Huff, who hit .287 in 39 games last season, entered Thursday's game hitting .176 with two homers and three RBI in 10 games.

Rupe struggled in two bullpen outings after being dropped from the starting rotation, allowing 12 runs in 1 2/3 innings. The right-hander will resume pitching as a starter in the minors.

The three pitchers recalled from Durham will all work out of the bullpen.