Will Venable Provides Munetaka Murakami Injury Update

Manager Will Venable confirmed the plan prior to Thursday’s series opener in Cleveland but did not provide any specific timetable for Murakami’s return.

Murakami Injury Update

Murakami has been sidelined since late May with a hamstring injury. The White Sox have been fairly cautious with his recovery thus far, and sending him on a rehab assignment is the standard next step before he rejoins the big league club, despite some internet rumblings on Thursday morning that he could be nearing a direct return after being labeled “day-to-day” by Rotowire.

The rehab stint will allow Murakami to get back into game action and build up his strength and timing in a controlled environment before returning to Chicago’s lineup. Although, as was the case with Kyle Teel, who also recently returned to the Sox active roster, his stay in Charlotte could be fairly brief.

What’s On Tap Next for the White Sox?

Murakami has been one of the team’s most important offensive contributors this season. His 20 home runs in just 57 games have him out to a historic pace. An impending return will give the White Sox another power bat in the middle of the order at a time when they are fighting for the AL Central.

The lack of a firm timetable suggests the White Sox aren’t quite ready to send him off on a rehab assignment just yet. However, the fact that we’re talking about rehab assignments and he’s being labeled “day-to-day” signals a return is right around the corner.