MLB's opening day sees 23 Cuban ballplayers on team rosters
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 25: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an RBI double in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 25, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) (2015 Getty Images)
Twenty-three Cubans were on opening day major league rosters following a series of high-profile defections, an increase of five over last year and the most since the commissioner's office began releasing data in 1995.
Major League Baseball said Monday that 238 of 864 players on opening day rosters, disabled lists and the restricted list were born outside the 50 states, with the percentage rising to 27.5 percent from 26.5 percent.
The percentage is the highest since 2013's of 28.2; the high of 29.2 was set in 2005.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Dominican Republic led with 82, followed by Venezuela with 63 and Cuba. Puerto Rico was next with 17, its most since 2011, and was followed by Mexico (12), Japan and South Korea (eight each). South Korea's previous high was five.
Canada had six, Panama four, Colombia and Curaçao three each, and Brazil and Taiwan two apiece.
Seattle had the most players born outside the 50 states with 13.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}