Major League Baseball reported a rise in the percentage of Black players on opening day rosters this year, marking the first consecutive annual increase in at least two decades. According to the league’s data released Friday, 6.8% of players on opening day rosters, injured lists, and restricted lists identified as Black, up from 6.2% at the start of the 2025 season and 6.0% at the beginning of 2024. The 0.6 percentage point increase from 2025 to 2026 represents the largest single-season gain since a 0.7 point rise between 2017 and 2018.

Injury updates across the league noted several roster moves on Friday. The Oakland Athletics placed outfielder and designated hitter Brent Rooker on the 10-day injured list due to an oblique strain. This sidelining ended Rooker’s streak of 214 consecutive games played.

The Chicago Cubs activated Seiya Suzuki from the 10-day injured list ahead of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Suzuki had missed the start of the season recovering from a sprained right knee.

The Miami Marlins also made a move to their injured list, placing outfielder Griffin Conine on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring tear.

In Detroit, Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows suffered a broken left forearm and a concussion following a head-to-head collision Thursday during a game at Minnesota. The injury occurred as Meadows and teammate Riley Greene converged on a fly ball.

These developments occurred as teams approach the midway point of the early Major League Baseball schedule, with player health a key focus alongside ongoing efforts to diversify the player pool.