CHICAGO -- The return of Munetaka Murakami to the White Sox Friday night, following a 35-game absence due to a Grade 2 right hamstring strain and a two-game injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte, went exactly as planned for the White Sox.
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They flew past the Athletics, 14-1, before the seventh sellout at Rate Field, with right-hander Sean Burke delivering airtight mound work and Tristan Peters hitting for the seventh cycle in franchise history. Murakami doubled home a run during an eight-run seventh, but also struck out four times, including against position player Carlos Cortes in the eighth.
Those results didn’t matter. The White Sox stayed tied with Cleveland atop the American League Central on the same day Murakami was named a first-time All-Star in replacing the Twins’ Byron Buxton as a reserve. He also became the final player to join the 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby on Monday night, as announced on Friday.
Luis Sierra, a Major League coach for the White Sox, will throw to Murakami in the Derby. Sierra also threw to Luis Robert Jr. during the 2023 competition, where Robert hit 28 homers in the first round.
“I did it once in Japan, but this is my first time doing it in the Majors, obviously,” said Murakami of the Derby through interpreter Kenzo Yagi. “I’ll probably be nervous, but hopefully I’ll hit a lot of home runs and make good results.
“It was more or less I was injured, so I had already gotten the offer, and if my injury was recovering enough, I would love to participate. There’s no chance I would be declining that. It was always one of my goals to participate in the Home Run Derby, so I was actually really glad I was able to get back on time.”
The rookie slugger suffered the injury in a May 29 home game against the Tigers while beating out a double play grounder. The White Sox finished 17-18 in his absence, including a three-game home sweep at the hands of the Red Sox to start this week.
So, Murakami’s return came at the perfect time.
“It was always hard just looking from the bench. I always wanted to play on the field. But injuries are injuries,” Murakami said. “While I was gone, the whole team was really being as one and carrying the team together. I really want to thank all the teammates and everybody who has supported me through the period and I’m really happy to be back.”
“He brings great energy and he’s just such a good guy to have around,” said Peters of Murakami. “Obviously an amazing player too.”
His 20 home runs during this highly productive season are tied for seventh in the American League, though he hasn't homered since going deep in three straight games against the Twins from May 25-27. But remember, he’s been out of action for the past six weeks.
Murakami agreed to a two-year, $34 million free-agent deal this past offseason, joining Tadahito Iguchi, Shingo Takatsu and Kosuke Fukudome as the only Japanese players to suit up for the White Sox. His offseason availability to the White Sox, and at this salary point, was a surprise to many -- and Murakami has changed the franchise since his arrival.
Optimism has been elevated and the White Sox lineup has changed with Murakami, as the South Siders have gone from three straight seasons with 100-plus losses to a playoff-contending team.
“He's a machine,” said White Sox manager Will Venable of Murakami. “He hits the ball hard and I think he can just take a normal swing and go out there and put on a good show."
Carlton Fisk (1985), Frank Thomas (1994, '95), Paul Konerko (2002), Jermaine Dye (2006), Todd Frazier (2016), and Robert (2023) have previously represented the White Sox in the Home Run Derby. Thomas is the lone White Sox player to win the event in 1995.
Willson Contreras, Jac Caglianone, Ben Rice, Bryce Harper, Jordan Walker, Kyle Schwarber and Junior Caminero are the other Derby contestants. Miguel Vargas, who launched his 21st homer Friday, joins Murakami as the White Sox All-Star selections.
“Because of the injury I thought I was not going to be playing for the All-Stars,” Murakami said. “So I’m just really happy that they called my name.”