Pendleton Returns to Braves in Trade

Terry Pendleton will get another chance to win a World Series ring with the Atlanta Braves.

The NL East leaders, trying to strengthen their bench, acquired Pendleton from the Florida Marlins for minor league outfielder Roosevelt Brown.

Pendleton, a third baseman who played in two World Series with the Braves, was the NL’s most valuable player in 1991.

Pendleton, 36, hit .251 with seven homers and 58 runs batted in 111 games for the Marlins this season. He’ll join the Braves in Philadelphia today.

“I’ve never gone from fourth place to first in one day,” Pendleton said. “It does feel good that a contender wants to take a shot at you and says, ‘This is the guy who can get us over the hump.’ ”

The trade gives Atlanta some flexibility in an injury-riddled infield. Second baseman Mark Lemke has a scratched cornea and shortstop Jeff Blauser has a broken left hand.

Outfielder Jerome Walton has been on the disabled list since May 30 because of a groin problem and right fielder David Justice is out for the season after shoulder surgery.

With Pendleton available to play third, Brave Manager Bobby Cox, if necessary, could move Chipper Jones to shortstop or the outfield.

Pendleton had been released by the Braves after the 1994 season and signed with the Marlins as a free agent April 7, 1995.

“It’s going to feel strange walking in there,” he said. “That was a clubhouse I was in charge of. Now I’m walking into a new environment.”

Pendleton broke into the majors with St. Louis in 1985 and played with the Cardinals until moving to Atlanta in 1991.

Brown, 21, hit .278 with 19 homers and 64 RBIs for Macon of the Class-A South Atlantic League. He’ll join the Marlins’ Class-A affiliate in Kane County.

Pendleton is the second veteran traded by fourth-place Florida in the past week. Pitcher John Burkett went to Texas for minor league pitcher Ryan Dempster and a player to be named.

Florida activated infielder Craig Grebeck from the disabled list to take Pendleton’s roster spot.