Murakami to make Cactus League debut on Friday
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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Munetaka Murakami's Cactus League debut with the White Sox is scheduled for Friday against the Cubs at Sloan Park, according to manager Will Venable.
“So the lineup for the first game, we are still working on some stuff,” Venable said. “Definitely want to take care of these WBC guys who are out there.
“Sam Antonacci will be in there, Mune will be in there. Curtis Mead will be in there and Kyle Teel will be in there.”
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Teel and Antonacci are playing for Team Italy in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Mead is suiting up for Australia, reliever Seranthony Domínguez is representing the Dominican Republic and Murakami is leaving one week from Thursday to join Japan.
Murakami continues to be the talk of camp. Shingo Takatsu, the former White Sox reliever and current reporter in Japan, was back on the White Sox side to interview Hall of Famer Jim Thome and Venable about the slugging first baseman.
Cannon starts rotation push
Jonathan Cannon views himself as a starter long term.
And for two innings in Friday’s Cactus League opener against the Cubs, that’s the role the White Sox right-hander will have.
“I kind of knew I was going to start one of the first couple of games. Me and [pitching coach Zach] Bove were in contact this offseason,” Cannon said. “That kind of went into my preparation a little bit. I knew I probably was going to get just one live [BP]. I threw a live before I came out to make sure I was prepared and ready to go.
“Spring Training is about getting ready for the season, going out there and proving yourself. You are going to get opportunities and just taking advantage of that. So, whenever those opportunities come, it’s just doing the best I can.”
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Cannon, 25, was one of the team’s steadier starters during the 2024 season, finishing with a 4.49 ERA over 124 1/3 innings. His fortunes noticeably dipped to a 5.82 ERA over 103 2/3 innings in ‘25 that included a seven-start stint with Triple-A Charlotte. He explained to MLB.com this past offseason how '26 could be the most pivotal season in his career, forcing him to make some changes to prepare for another rotation opportunity.
Venable has mentioned 10 pitchers being stretched out during Spring Training, not factoring in top prospects Noah Schultz, Hagen Smith and Tanner McDougal. Cannon is among that group and embraces the competition for what looks to be the final two starting spots at the season’s outset.
“When you are in the big leagues, there are always people behind you, people on your team. There is always competition,” Cannon said. “In this league, if you are not doing a great job, you are not going to be doing it for very long.
“So, there’s constant competition. That’s just part of the job. It’s just competing against yourself, trying to do the best you can and going out there and giving your team a chance to win every time.”
Through the first two weeks of Spring Training, Cannon feels good and confident. He’s ready to reassert himself as part of this White Sox front five.
“That’s definitely what I feel like I’m good at,” said Cannon of starting. “That’s part of my routine and how I project moving forward as well. That’s definitely what I’m preparing for this year, is to get a starting role and go out there and give this team length and innings and put us in position to win.
“Obviously, last season is behind us. We turned the page, new season, new faces in the locker room. Just excited to get out there on Friday and get the competition going again.”