Munetaka Murakami Injury Update and Possible Return Dates

Charlie Zschau Published: Jun 03 2026 16:47

The Chicago White Sox Japanese slugger, Munetaka Murakami, suffered a hamstring strain last week that takes the sting out of the American League Home run battle.

Born in Kumamoto Japan, 26-year-old Munetaka Murakami is playing his first season in Major League Baseball, and has arrived on the scene with a bang.

In 200 at bats with the Chicago White Sox, Murakami has 48 hits, 20 home runs, knocked in 41 runners, and struck out 80 times. When he puts the ball in play, its nearly also a hard hit ball.

Murakami unfortunately suffered a hamstring strain against the Detroit Tigers on May 29th, and is expected to miss extended time recovering.

At the time of his injury, the Japanese slugger was tied for the American League lead in home runs with Yordan Alvarez. He was also a key figure in the White Sox unlikely playoff hopes.

Munetaka Murakami's Injury

Murakami suffered a grade 2 hamstring strain while sprinting through first base in attempt to beat out a double play.

The White Sox put Murakami on the 10-day injured list on May 30th, but he is expected to miss multiple weeks, with a return potential being pushed back to July.

White Sox Manager Will Veneble told the press this week that Murakami will not travel with the team on their road trip to Minnesota and Philadelphia to receive a 'platelet-rich plasma injection in hopes of speeding up his recovery.

With Murakami on the IL, Chicago called up their No. 23 prospect, infielder Jacob Gonzalez from Triple-A in Charlotte.

Muetaka Murakami's Potential Return Dates

Murakami will miss an extended period of time, with his estimated return date stretching into mid-July.

The unofficial timeline for Murakami sees him missing 4-6 weeks of gametime, and Chicago will surely be exercising caution due to hamstring injuries abilities to linger.

We expect Murakami back in the lineup in early-mid July. The White Sox have a six game homestand against the Boston Red Sox and Athletics between July 7-12, and he could likely be back in the batters box during one of those games.