<p>The Braves traded Tony Pena Jr. to the Kansas City Royals for minor league pitcher Erik Cordier on Friday after concluding the shortstop would not make Atlanta's opening day roster.</p><p>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.</p><p>Pena may have an opportunity to compete for a starting job with Kansas City. Angel Berroa, the 2003 AL Rookie of the Year, hit only .234 with a .259 on-base percentage last season and is batting .263 this spring training.</p><p>Cordier, a right-hander, is recovering from elbow ligament-replacement surgery.</p><p>"We were able to get something we really liked, a young arm for our future," Wren said. "We'll be excited to see him next spring. We thought enough of him that we thought it was worth the wait."</p><p>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.</p><p>"I hate to see Tony go," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "He's ready to go. He's ready to play in the big leagues right now."</p><p>Pena was with the team Friday but did not play against Philadelphia.</p><p>"I'm sad in a way but happy to get a chance to play somewhere," Pena said.</p><p>Pena hit .342 with a homer and six RBIs this spring training.</p><p>Atlanta has Edgar Renteria at shortstop and Chris Woodward as a utility infielder. The team also acquired Pirates minor league shortstop Chris Lillibridge with reliever Mike Gonzalez in the Jan. 19 deal that sent first baseman Adam LaRoche to the Pirates.</p><p>The 21-year-old Cordier was a combined 4-1 with a 2.91 ERA for Class A Idaho Falls and Burlington last year. He was the Royals' second-round selection in the 2004 amateur draft and missed the 2005 season following knee surgery.</p>
