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MLBPA shake-up continues as COO, human resources director fired
TL;DR
The MLB Players' Association has fired COO Xavier James and HR director Michael O'Neill, following the resignation of executive director Tony Clark. They will be replaced by Chris Capuano and Ian Penny, respectively.
The shake-up within the MLB Players' Association continued Wednesday, April 15 with the firings of chief operating officer Xavier James and human resources head Michael O'Neill, according to a person familiar with the moves.
The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss personnel matters.
James and O’Neill will be replaced by former Major League pitcher Chris Capuano and Ian Penny, respectively.
ESPN first reported James and O’Neill’s firings.
Their dismissals, reportedly with cause, come two months after MLBPA executive director Tony Clark resigned in the wake of external investigations by the Department of Justice. Clark later was reported to have had a consensual relationship with a subordinate.
James, 58, was hired as deputy chief operating officer in 2018 and promoted to COO a year later. He'd previously worked as a lawyer for former All-Star Gary Sheffield's wife, a gospel singer.
The MLBPA remains under federal investigation due to its role in a licensing company co-owned with the NFLPA and other sports unions. The investigation widened in 2025 to include Players Way, a youth baseball charitable arm of the union that has been the subject of whistleblower complaints of waste, nepotism and, ESPN reported, excessive union spending on international and domestic trips for Clark and other union employees.
Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA's Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.
Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
The Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
The Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
The St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
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Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations a during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA's Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.
1 / 6
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations a during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA's Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.
2 / 6
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations a during 2026 MLB season
Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
3 / 6
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations a during 2026 MLB season
The Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
4 / 6
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations a during 2026 MLB season
The Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
5 / 6
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations a during 2026 MLB season
The St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
6 / 6
Ballpark vibes and wild celebrations a during 2026 MLB season
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
Following Clark's resignation, chief negotiator Bruce Meyer was appointed interim executive director. The internal shake-ups and external investigations come at a crucial time for the union, which is soon set to commence negotiations with Major League Baseball on what's expected to be a contentious battle over a new collective bargaining agreement.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has indicated it's likely he will lock out players when the current CBA expires Dec. 1.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLBPA turmoil continues with COO, human resources director fired
Q&A
Why were Xavier James and Michael O'Neill fired from the MLB Players' Association?
Xavier James and Michael O'Neill were reportedly fired with cause as part of ongoing changes within the MLB Players' Association.
Who are the new replacements for the fired MLBPA executives?
Chris Capuano, a former Major League pitcher, will replace Xavier James, and Ian Penny will take over for Michael O'Neill.
What led to the recent shake-up in the MLB Players' Association leadership?
The shake-up followed the resignation of executive director Tony Clark amid external investigations by the Department of Justice.
What was the nature of Tony Clark's resignation from the MLB Players' Association?
Tony Clark resigned after reports of a consensual relationship with a subordinate and subsequent investigations into the MLBPA.