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Murakami Exits With Hamstring Strain, IL Stint Looms

Sport
May 30, 2026
Murakami Exits With Hamstring Strain, IL Stint Looms

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Munetaka Murakami left Friday with a right hamstring strain. The White Sox slugger exited a 4-3 win over Detroit in the third inning. Murakami leads the American League with 20 home runs in 2026.

Murakami’s Hamstring Threatens an AL Rookie Breakout

Murakami pulled up while legging out a grounder to Tigers second baseman Zach McKinstry. Detroit second baseman Zach McKinstry fielded the ball as Murakami slowed near first base. White Sox manager Will Venable called it a little hamstring strain on first evaluation. Venable said Murakami will get imaging Saturday and could miss roughly two weeks. Chicago still held off Detroit 4-3 in extra innings without Murakami.

Murakami carries a .240 average, 20 home runs, and 40 RBIs through 196 at-bats. Murakami posts a .936 OPS with a .561 slugging percentage in 2026. Murakami also scored 42 runs and reached a .375 on-base percentage this season. Murakami ranks second in the majors with 20 home runs in 2026. Murakami struck out 78 times while posting a 1.8 bWAR in 2026.

Chicago selected infielder Jacob Gonzalez from the minors to cover the open roster spot. Murakami signed from Nippon Professional Baseball on a two-year deal last offseason. Murakami reached 20 home runs before June, ahead of Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. Jacob Gonzalez gives Chicago infield depth while Murakami sits out the next two weeks. That power pace turned Murakami from a polarizing prospect into a Rookie of the Year front-runner.

BetMGM lists Munetaka Murakami as the AL Rookie of the Year favorite at +115. That price implies a 46.51% chance for Murakami to win the award. The +115 number makes Murakami a clear front-runner over the AL rookie field. Murakami passed Detroit shortstop Kevin McGonigle for the betting lead in late May.

Murakami anchors a rebuilding White Sox lineup that leans on his home run power. A two-week absence removes the American League home run co-leader from Chicago’s order. Chicago loses 40 RBIs of production with Murakami sidelined for two weeks. Murakami’s Rookie of the Year edge could shrink while Kevin McGonigle keeps playing.

Murakami undergoes imaging Saturday to confirm the hamstring strain severity. Chicago must reshuffle first base while Murakami recovers over the next two weeks. The White Sox await the Saturday imaging before setting Murakami’s recovery timeline. Murakami’s return date depends on the Saturday scan and his recovery response.

ESPN and the Chicago Sun-Times reported Murakami’s hamstring exit Friday night. MLB Trade Rumors noted Chicago’s likely injured list move for Murakami.

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