Astros waive Chacon after assault

Shawn Chacon was put on waivers Thursday by the Houston Astros, a day after 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.

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.”

Piniella replaces Randolph

Cubs manager Lou Piniella was selected to replace fired New York Mets manager Willie Randolph on the N.L. coaching staff for next month’s All-Star game at Yankee Stadium.

The decision by Colorado’s Clint Hurdle, the N.L. manager, marks the second time he decided not to choose former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Torre has said he didn’t mind not being picked for the game and thought he might be a distraction if he had been asked to attend.

Griffey’s 600th to auction

The fan who says he caught the baseball that Ken Griffey Jr. hit for his milestone 600th home run plans to sell it at auction Aug 1.

Doug Allen, president of Mastro Auctions in suburban Chicago, said he expects the ball to attract substantial bidding interest. He says the Cincinnati Reds star has remained untainted by the steroid era.

He thinks the ball will sell for at least $50,000, and as much as $100,000.

Clearing the bases

Umpire Brian Runge was suspended for one game for bumping into New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel before ejecting him . 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 against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. … The St. Louis Cardinals activated first baseman Albert Pujols and placed reliever Randy Flores on the 15-day disabled list with left ankle tendinitis.