SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Kyle Freeland has stepped into the fire. The Rockies’ veteran left-hander is now the club’s representative for the Major League Baseball Players Association, just as another labor battle heats up. Freeland woke up to news Tuesday morning that Tony Clark, the MLBPA’s execu tive director, had resigned, leaving the union without its longtime leader less than a year before the expiration of Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement. “A little bit shocking,” said Freeland, who replaced former Rockies pitcher Austin Gomber as Colorado’s player representative. “You know, Tony’s been in that position for quite some time. I woke up to the same news that you guys did. I don’t have much information on it right now, but I’m sure later today, when we get together, we’ll have more information on it.” According to ESPN, player leaders planned to meet Tuesday afternoon to discuss the ramifications of Clark’s resignation. Clark has led the MLBPA  since 2013. Clark’s resignation comes amid the Eastern District of New York’s ongoing investigation into the MLBPA’s finances and other dealings. According to The Athletic, the Eastern District is reviewing whether MLBPA officials used licensing money or equity to improperly enrich themselves. Clark’s resignation comes at a critical time. Major league owners are expected push for a salary cap that will likely prompt a lockout when the current CBA expires on Dec. 1. Freeland, entering his 10th big-league season, said he knew what he was getting into when he became Colorado’s player rep. “I kind of saw it coming and kind of saw everything unfolding of how it was going to be,” he said of the looming labor war. “I had to wrap my head around that. But it’s something I took head-on, started learning, started asking questions, asserted myself into really understanding more about the (MLBPA).” Rockies owner Dick Monfort is one of the chief leaders on the owners’ side of the negotiations. It’s one of the reasons why Monfort handed over much of the Rockies’ decision-making duties to his son, Walker, last fall. “I have a lot more responsibility with the league over the next year, so I have to allocate time there. Plus, I’m getting older,” the 71-year-old told The Post in November. “Walker came to me and said he was interested in taking on (a bigger role). He can handle it.” Related Articles Rockies’ Kris Bryant ‘in pain every day,’ can’t play baseball but not retiring Rockies’ Tomoyuki Sugano eyes another chance vs. Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Rockies’ 10 biggest spring training questions start with pitching Zac Veen’s sobriety leaves room for hope for Rockies career, healthier life | Renck File Rockies’ starting rotation competition bolstered by three veteran free agents Although Freeland and Dick Monfort will be on opposite sides of the labor battle, Freeland said he doesn’t believe it will negatively affect his relationship with the Rockies owner, with whom he has a solid relationship. “We have always known that Dick has kind of been the head of labor (negotiations) for the other side,” Freeland said. “But I think Dick has done a great job of this, and (we) players have done a great job of this … that when we cross paths in the dugout, or wherever, maybe it’s really not talked about, but there is a respect there. Both sides are trying to get something done to better themselves. And I believe Dick respects that, and we respect that.” Freeland said that right now, his balancing act between being a pitcher and a labor leader is going smoothly. However, he understands what is likely coming in the months ahead. “It might get a little bit hairy later in the year when things get more intense with MLB,” he said. Want more Rockies news? Sign up for the Rockies Insider to get all our MLB analysis. ...read more read less