White Sox Receive Munetaka Murakami Injury Update on Monday

Before landing on the injured list, Murakami was putting together one of the best rookie campaigns in baseball. Through 57 games, he batted .240 with a .938 OPS, 20 home runs, 41 RBIs and 43 runs after signing a two-year, $34 million contract with Chicago following his standout career in Japan.

The White Sox view the rehab assignment primarily as an opportunity for Murakami to regain his timing at the plate after completing his running progression without setbacks.

Manager Will Venable said, "There’s a possibility that he plays for us before the break, for sure. We need him back obviously on the field, but just his presence, it means so much to have him in the lineup, what that does for you. I remember what it meant to have Adrián González in the lineup. When you have a guy like that in your lineup, everyone has a little more confidence in your ability to win that game."

Murakami also shared his excitement through an interpreter, saying, "I’m just really happy that I am able to get back to playing baseball."

If his rehab stint goes as planned, the White Sox are expected to activate Murakami for next weekend's home series against the Oakland Athletics, giving their lineup a major boost before the All-Star break.