BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Mets Separate Team From Coleman

The New York Mets looked to distance themselves from outfielder Vince Coleman, who faces a felony charge for throwing an explosive device outside Dodger Stadium that injured three persons.

Coleman, in the third year of a four-year, $11.95-million contract, left the Mets in Montreal on Tuesday after the charge was filed by Los Angeles prosecutors. The team said Wednesday he had been granted an unpaid leave of absence, until two days after the court hearing.

“It only involves the Mets because he is an employee of the Mets,” said Gerry Hunsicker, club vice president of baseball operations. “This is Vince Coleman’s incident. This is Vince Coleman’s problem.”

*

Angered over Manager Dallas Green’s quip that he copes with the Mets’ losing by beating his wife, Sylvia, the National Organization for Women demanded an apology.

“This is exactly the kind of flippancy which incorporates domestic violence into society as a fundamental part of people’s lives,” said Diane Welsh, president of the New York City chapter of NOW.

Green said he was kidding, adding that his wife is a member of NOW.

*

The Mets placed reliever John Franco on the 15-day disabled list because of strained lower ribcage muscle. . . . Catcher Don Slaught, 34, of the Pittsburgh Pirates signed a two-year contract extension that is believed to be worth $3.2 million. . . . Toronto Blue Jay third baseman Ed Sprague’s suspension for fighting the Angels’ Chad Curtis on June 2 has been shortened from three games to two after a hearing.