According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, Chris Snyder's new contract with the Astros carries a $750,000 salary for 2012 and a $4 million mutual option for 2013 or a $500,000 buyout. Only $350,000 of his salary for 2012 is guaranteed. The contract includes bonuses for plate appearances and days spent on the active roster. Snyder, who turns 31 next month, was limited to just 34 games in 2011 due to a nagging back condition which required surgery, but still has some pop in his bat. Jason Castro is expected to be ready for the start of the season following foot surgery, but Snyder could be asked to carry a heavier load in the early going.

Astros signed C Chris Snyder to a one-year contract. No financial terms of the deal are available, but it also includes a mutual option for 2013. Snyder, who will turn 31 next month, played in just 34 games this season due to a serious back issue, but the Astros evidently think he'll be ready for the start of the season. He figures to serve as the primary backstop until Jason Castro (foot) is healthy.

Pirates declined C Chris Snyder's $6.75 million option for 2012. The Pirates hinted at the move earlier this month. Snyder, 30, played in just 34 games this season due to a serious back issue. $6.75 million was too much.

The Pirates will decline Chris Snyder's $6.75 million option for 2012 at the conclusion of the World Series. Snyder didn't play another game this season after undergoing surgery on his lower back in June, though he appears to be fully recovered heading into the offseason. Entering the declining stage of his career, he simply hasn't been productive enough to warrant the investment. The Pirates will likely explore in-house options as his replacement.

The Pirates are expected to decline Chris Snyder's $6.75 million club option for next season. Snyder made just 119 plate appearances this year due to back surgery. He's not productive enough when healthy for the Pirates to take the nearly $7 million risk.

Chris Snyder (back) will not return this season. Snyder underwent surgery on his back in early June. He's made significant progress over the past couple of months but simply ran out of time. "The calendar got the best of us," the catcher told reporters on Monday.

Chris Snyder (back surgery) has begun light workouts. Snyder underwent surgery on his back in early June and isn't expected to be healthy again until the middle of August. He had a .376 OBP through 34 games.

Chris Snyder (back surgery) said Monday that he hopes to return in mid-to-late August. Snyder is expected to miss anywhere from 2-4 months after undergoing back surgery earlier this month. "Going through the surgery the first time and comparing this one, this blows it out of the water," said Snyder, who previously had back surgery in 2009. "I'm moving around way better, in way less pain, have more motion in my leg. I'm wanting to get back as soon as possible." Ryan Doumit is currently recovering from a non-displaced fracture of his left ankle, so the Pirates will continue to rely on Michael McKenry and Dusty Brown behind the plate for now.

Chris Snyder and his wife were recently the victims of a violent road rage incident. Snyder's wife Carla was driving at the time since Chris just underwent back surgery. She apparently angered 44-year-old Subhash Arjanbhi Modhwadia, who believed he was cut off while riding on his scooter. He followed them to a gas station, kicked the vehicle, took a swing at Carla and even ripped a mirror off the car. Modhwadia was eventually subdued by a Good Samaritan and an off-duty city police officer. Fortunately no physical harm was done to the Snyder family.