Murakami Exits Early After Hamstring Tightness

CHICAGO — Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami left Friday’s game against the Detroit Tigers in the third inning due to a right hamstring issue.

A team statement indicates that Murakami is currently undergoing evaluation to determine the severity of his injury.

At 26, Murakami was attempting to beat out a potential double‑play grounder aimed at Detroit second baseman Zach McKinstry. The Tigers recorded a forceout at second, but Murakami’s throw to first arrived just in time, allowing the inning to continue.

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Murakami winced at his right hamstring as White Sox medical staff, manager Will Venable and interpreter Kenzo Yagi hurried onto the field. After a brief discussion, he left the game, occasionally touching the strained muscle as he walked off.

In the short term, the setback may have worked in the White Sox’s favor. He was replaced by pinch‑runner Luisangel Acuna, whose greater speed enabled him to score on Miguel Vargas’ double into the left‑field corner — a play Murakami might have struggled to convert.

Nevertheless, a prolonged absence would represent a considerable loss for the White Sox, who entered the game with the fourth‑best record in the American League despite having endured three consecutive 100‑loss seasons.

Signed from Japan to a two‑year contract this offseason, Murakami began the day tied for the AL lead with 20 home runs and remains a leading candidate for AL Rookie of the Year after two months of the 2026 season.

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