Astros put pitcher Chacon on waivers

Shawn Chacon was put on waivers Thursday by the Houston Astros, a day after he got into a physical altercation with General Manager Ed Wade.

If another team doesn’t claim Chacon by Monday, the Astros say they will release the pitcher and terminate his contract for cause, which would set off a confrontation with the players’ association over the nearly $1 million that would remain on Chacon’s deal.

“Based on the information we have to date, we believe the Astros’ response violates the basic agreement,” union general counsel Michael Weiner said. “If Shawn Chacon clears waivers and is released, we will pursue appropriate relief on his behalf.”

If Chacon is released Monday, $983,607 of his $2-million salary would be in dispute.

The union also could claim lost bonus opportunities for the pitcher, who has $1 million in available performance bonuses in his agreement, starting with 130 innings and ending with 210 innings.

Houston says Chacon violated a provision in the uniform player contract that states the player may be terminated if he shall “fail, refuse or neglect to conform his personal conduct to the standards of good citizenship and good sportsmanship or to keep himself in first-class physical condition or to obey to the club’s training rules.”

------

Umpire Brian Runge was suspended for one game for bumping into New York Mets Manager Jerry Manuel before ejecting him this week.

Manuel and center fielder Carlos Beltran also were fined by Major League Baseball for arguing with Runge in the fourth inning of the Mets’ game Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners.

MLB said Runge’s suspension will be served immediately. Manuel received a $500 fine and Beltran’s was $400.

------

Pittsburgh right-hander Ian Snell was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a muscle strain in his right elbow. . . . Washington put right-hander Shawn Hill on the 15-day disabled list because of a sore right forearm and activated left-hander Odalis Perez from the DL.