Chacon cleared waivers and was released Monday, five days after a physical altercation with Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade in the clubhouse.

Chacon had a $2 million salary this year, and the decision to terminate the contract meant $983,607 won't be paid. He also lost the chance to make up to $1 million in performance bonuses based on innings.

''The grievance alleges that he was unlawfully terminated and asked that he be made whole,'' said Michael Weiner, the union's general counsel.

The union alleged Chacon was terminated without just cause under the uniform player contract.

Phillies demote Myers

Brett Myers, leading the major leagues with 24 home runs allowed and coming off the shortest start of his career with the Phillies, is headed back to the minors.

Myers agreed to be optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he spoke with Myers (3-9) on Monday about accepting the assignment to work on his delivery. Myers, who has more than five years experience in the majors, had the right to decline the assignment.

The Phillies are 1-11 in the last 12 games started by Myers, who is 1-8 in that stretch.

Headed for the Hall

The ball Barry Bonds launched for his record-breaking 756th home run took a strange turn Tuesday on its possible path to the Hall of Fame.

First, the Hall announced it wouldn't take the asterisk-stamped souvenir because talks with its owner broke down over whether the ball would be loaned or donated. Hours later, the man who paid $752,467 for the prize presented a different view.

''At this time, the ball is on route to the Hall of Fame,'' fashion designer Marc Ecko said in a statement. ''I hope that they will accept it and honor their commitment to display it at some point in time.''