Baseball notebook: Royals land shortstop Pena Jr.

The Atlanta Braves had no room for Tony Pena Jr. on their opening-day roster, and the Kansas City Royals were willing to give the young shortstop a shot at making their starting lineup.

The Braves traded Pena to the Royals for minor league pitcher Erik Cordier on Friday.

Pena will be a candidate to start for the Royals, manager Buddy Bell said.

“Another good young player,” Bell said after Kansas City’s game against Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., was rained out. “We’re going to get him in camp. He’s going to play, and then we’ll manage the position as we go. We don’t have a whole lot of time, but we’ve got a lot of really good reports on him and we’ll see what happens.”

Braves assistant general manager Frank Wren said the Braves had at least four teams inquire about Pena, the son of New York Yankees coach Tony Pena, the former Kansas City manager. Wren confirmed the team made the trade after concluding Pena would not make the opening-day roster.

The 26-year-old Pena split the 2006 season between Triple-A Richmond, where he hit .282 in 81 games, and Atlanta, where he batted .227 in 40 games.

Pettitte feels better

Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte played catch in Tampa, Fla., for the first time since experiencing back spasms earlier in the week.

Pettitte’s improvement was welcome news for New York, which also got a scare when right-hander Chien-Ming Wang felt discomfort in his right hamstring during light running. Wang underwent treatment afterward, and Yankees manager Joe Torre was hopeful the injury wasn’t serious.

“I’ve had no emergency calls,” Torre said after the Yankees’ 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh in Bradenton, Fla.

Lidle’s wife files lawsuit

The widow of Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle got stiffed for more than $1 million by her late husband’s Major League Baseball life insurance policy, so she’s suing to get the money.

The Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. has refused to pay out fully on the policy, apparently citing an exclusion for any “nonpassenger” who dies on an aircraft, according to court papers.

The company owed Cory Lidle $1.5 million upon his death but paid only $450,000, the suit filed March 9 says.

Pirates bench Castillo

Jose Bautista was chosen as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting third baseman, a move that sends three-year starting infielder Jose Castillo to the bench and means National League batting champion Freddy Sanchez will open the season at second base.

Pirates manager Jim Tracy, frustrated that Castillo hasn’t responded to his repeated requests to become more disciplined at the plate and mentally involved in the game on defense, said it is up to Castillo how long he remains on the bench.

Figgins’ fingers fractured

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Chone Figgins is expected to be sidelined five to six weeks with two broken fingers on his throwing hand.

X-rays taken by hand specialist Dr. Steve Shin at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic revealed Figgins has fractures of the index and middle fingers on his right hand. He was injured in the fifth inning of Wednesday’s game against Arizona in Tempe, Ariz., when a grounder hit by Conor Jackson bounced off his hand. Figgins was charged with an error.

Delgado takes leave

First baseman Carlos Delgado left Mets camp to travel to Puerto Rico to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.

Delgado’s absence with one week left in spring training is actually good news for the Mets as the original due date for the baby’s arrival was April 1, the day New York opens the 2007 regular season in St. Louis against the World Series champion Cardinals.

Marlins coach retires

Florida Marlins coach Perry Hill retired, ending a 14-year major league career during which he coached five Gold Glove-winning infielders.

The Marlins gave no reason for the move by the 55-year-old Hill, who returned to his home in Lantana, Texas.

Hill, who joined the Marlins in 2002, coached first base and was considered one of the top infield coaches in the major leagues.

Orioles sign Tracy

The Baltimore Orioles claimed right-hander Sean Tracey off waivers from the Chicago White Sox and transferred right-hander Kris Benson to the 60-day disabled list.