Murakami Activated
Star Hitter Munetaka Murakami Activated, Rejoining White Sox for Final Series Before Break
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Key Points
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Murakami went 2-for-7 with an RBI double and a walk in his two rehab games with Charlotte, and he appeared at first base for five innings on Tuesday and nine innings on Wednesday as he ramped up after the hamstring strain.
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Murakami signed a two-year, $34 million contract with the White Sox in December, a deal that remains a staple of the club's lineup potential this season.
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Gonzalez, the 24-year-old first-round pick, was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte after Murakami’s injury; in his first extended stint in the majors this season, he hit .244 with two homers and 17 RBIs in 30 games.
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Miguel Vargas emphasized Murakami’s value beyond the batter’s box, saying, 'He means a lot for this lineup... He’s a great hitter. Not just for the lineup but the clubhouse in general. He’s a great leader. He’s a guy who everyone here looks to.'
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Murakami’s absence had drawn consideration that he would have been a strong All-Star candidate, with reports noting that he 'likely would have made the AL All-Star team had he not gotten injured.'
Munetaka Murakami is back. The Chicago White Sox activated their 26-year-old slugger from the 10-day injured list on Thursday, ending a 35-game absence caused by a Grade 2 right hamstring strain, according to Reuters. He will rejoin the lineup for the team's final series before the All-Star break.
Before the injury, Murakami was one of the best hitters in the American League. He posted a .240/.378/.560 slash line with 20 home runs and 41 RBIs in just 57 games. To make room on the roster, the White Sox optioned 24-year-old infielder Jacob Gonzalez back to Triple-A Charlotte, per NBC Sports.
Murakami Missed 35 Games With Hamstring Strain
Murakami first went on the injured list on May 29 with a strained right hamstring, according to NBC Sports. The injury kept him out for 35 games — a stretch that cost Chicago a serious power threat at a key point in the season. The team held on, and still leads or shares the lead in the AL Central entering the weekend.
Reports noted that Murakami "likely would have made the AL All-Star team had he not gotten injured," according to Reuters. His absence was felt both in the lineup and in the clubhouse, where teammates leaned on his experience as a star in Japan's NPB league.
Two Rehab Games at Charlotte Before IL Return
Murakami completed a two-game rehab stint with Triple-A Charlotte before his activation. He went 2-for-7 with an RBI double and a walk across the two games. He played five innings at first base on Tuesday, then a full nine innings on Wednesday to test the hamstring under game conditions.
The rehab plan gave manager Will Venable enough confidence to bring Murakami back. He is expected to split time between first base and designated hitter as he ramps up. Venable has kept open communication with the slugger about his readiness, per Reuters.
Gonzalez Optioned After Holding Down First Base
Jacob Gonzalez stepped in at first base after Murakami went down. The 24-year-old first-round pick hit .244 with 2 home runs and 17 RBIs in 30 games during his first extended big-league stint, according to NBC Sports. His performance showed promise, but the roster move was inevitable once Murakami was cleared.
Gonzalez heads back to Triple-A Charlotte to keep developing. The White Sox view the assignment as a chance for him to keep improving rather than a setback. His experience filling in for a star gave him valuable reps at the highest level.
Teammates Say Murakami Lifts the Whole Clubhouse
Murakami's value goes beyond his bat. Miguel Vargas put it plainly: "He means a lot for this lineup. He's a great hitter. Not just for the lineup but the clubhouse in general. He's a great leader. He's a guy who everyone here looks to." That kind of presence is hard to replace with a roster move.
Murakami signed a two-year, $34 million deal with Chicago last December, according to Reuters. The contract made him a cornerstone of the rebuild. With the All-Star break just days away, the White Sox hope his return sparks a strong finish to the first half.
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