White Sox Receive Munetaka Murakami Update After Fourth of July

The Chicago White Sox received encouraging news on Munetaka Murakami's recovery on Sunday after the slugger cleared another step in his return from a right hamstring strain.

According to MLB.com beat reporter Scott Merkin, Murakami completed high-intensity running drills and, if everything continues to go well, will travel to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday to begin a minor league rehab assignment.

The update puts the 26-year-old first baseman on track to rejoin Chicago later this week after missing more than a month with the injury suffered on May 29 against the Detroit Tigers.

Murakami was placed on the 10-day injured list the following day and has not appeared in a rehab game. His upcoming assignment with the Charlotte Knights will be his first game action since going down.

Before the injury, the left-handed hitter was enjoying an outstanding rookie campaign, batting .240 with a .378 on-base percentage, a .560 slugging percentage, 20 home runs, 41 RBIs and a .938 OPS in 57 games.

Chicago signed Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract last December after the Tokyo Yakult Swallows posted the former NPB superstar. He arrived with an impressive résumé that included two Central League MVP awards, the 2022 Triple Crown and Japan's single-season record of 56 home runs by a Japanese-born player.

Merkin reported that Murakami's running progression went as planned, positioning him to begin his rehab assignment this week. If he responds well over the next few days, he could return to the White Sox before next weekend's series against the Athletics.

Getting Murakami back would provide a major boost for a White Sox club leading the American League Central. The middle-of-the-order slugger is expected to resume his regular role at first base and designated hitter once he is activated.

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