CHICAGO – Tanner Murray made his Major League debut for the White Sox on April 5 against the Blue Jays at Rate Field.
He picked up his first big league hit on April 11 in Kansas City and recorded his only home run the following day at Kauffman Stadium. But on Monday, back in Chicago again, Murray’s rookie season all but came to an end.
While diving for a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 10th inning of a 2-1 loss against the Nationals on Sunday, Murray suffered a left shoulder dislocation. Further evaluations and examinations revealed a fracture in that same shoulder, requiring surgery.
“It’s significant,” said White Sox manager Will Venable of Murray. “He’ll be out four to six months, and hopefully it’s on the quicker end. It’s a significant chunk of time that he will miss.”
“The news was definitely a little surprising,” Murray said. “I knew I didn’t feel good in the moment, but yeah, it was a little bit of a frustrating kind of trip to the doctor, I’d say.”
Over his 13 games for the White Sox, Murray played seven in left field. Prior to this season, Murray had played 40 games total in the outfield, coming during the 2025 season at Triple-A Durham for the Rays.
The injury on the dive certainly could have happened to a more experienced outfielder. So the greater concern for these players in a new position falls upon understanding the nuances of a new position.
“Certainly with communication, we think that’s something that’s really important,” Venable said. “Anyway, to make sure we are converting balls in play into outs. But from a health standpoint and safety standpoint, communicating when you are getting closer to another outfielder or infielder, that’s something as someone who doesn’t play a ton of outfield, you would have to give extra attention to. Outside of that, not a whole lot.”
“I’ve been injured in some crazy ways before,” Murray said. “But looking back, I’m happy how I played, I’m happy how I went after the ball, I’m glad I caught it. I don’t have any regrets so far.”
Outfielder Austin Hays returned from his injury rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Charlotte and was reinstated from the 10-day injured list, with Murray moving to the IL. Hays was placed on the IL on April 7 with a right hamstring strain, and he played in two rehab games for the Knights.
That shortened stint will bring about some White Sox caution as to how they initially use Hays. Venable didn’t plan to start him until Wednesday afternoon against Angels southpaw Yusei Kikuchi, with Hays being available off the bench prior to the series finale.
“We can’t just jump right in to playing every day out there for nine innings,” Venable said. “Make sure he’s building volume pregame to make sure he’s in a good spot.
“But excited to have Austin back. He’s one of our experienced guys, our veteran guys, that has been through every situation out there. Our guys lean on [Hays] for advice and wisdom and brings a ton of positive energy to our group.”