Munetaka Murakami Injured, Latest Updates on White Sox Star's Status After Exiting vs. Tigers

The Chicago White Sox announced that star rookie first baseman Munetaka Murakami left his team's home game against the Detroit Tigers on Friday evening with right hamstring tightness. He will undergo further evaluation.

In the bottom of the third inning, Murakami grounded into a fielder's choice to second base. Murakami was safe at first after running out the grounder, but he grabbed at his right hamstring soon after he sprinted past the bag. Shortstop Luisangel Acuña replaced Murakami on the basepaths.

Manager Will Venable briefly spoke about the injury during the game with Brooke Fletcher of Chicago Sports Network.

The White Sox then made a few defensive adjustments. Miguel Vargas moved from third to first, Colton Montgomery went from short to third and Acuña landed at shortstop.

The 26-year-old Murakami arrived in Chicago after starring for the Yakult Swallows of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball from 2018-2025, hitting 265 home runs (including 56 in 2022, the most ever in a single season by a Japanese-born player).

He's been fantastic for the White Sox and entered Friday leading the American League in home runs (20), RBI (41) and runs (43).

Murakami's .947 OPS also ranked fifth in MLB beginning Friday.

The White Sox lost an MLB-record 121 games in 2024 before dropping 100 contests in 2025, but they've excelled in 2026 with a record of 29-27 as they began their series with the Tigers.

The MLB season is barely a third of the way done, but the White Sox are in the second American League Wild Card spot and squarely in contention for the playoffs. Murakami has played a huge role in that resurgence, igniting the team and serving as its offensive anchor.

Hopefully Murakami is back ASAP as the White Sox, who are 18-10 in their last 28 games, look to keep up their positive momentum.