Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami is expected to miss an extended period after leaving Friday's game with right hamstring tightness.
"It's gonna be a couple weeks here. Just a hamstring strain," manager Will Venable told Chicago Sports Network postgame. "So we'll continue to get him evaluated tomorrow, they'll do some imaging, and we'll see what we got."
Murakami suffered the injury while running out a ground ball in the third inning. He was immediately removed for a pinch runner.
White Sox manager Will Venable said 1B Munetaka Murakami might be out a couple of weeks pic.twitter.com/bGjtkxZqwr
— Boog00 (@boog00) May 30, 2026
Murakami has made an immediate impact in his rookie season with the White Sox after coming over from Japan. The 26-year-old's 20 home runs are tied for the AL lead, and he owns a .240/.378/.560 slash line with 41 RBIs and 44 walks across 246 plate appearances.
The White Sox are calling up infield prospect Jacob Gonzalez to take Murakami's place on the active roster, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Gonzalez, who's spent this season at Triple-A Charlotte, was removed from the Knights' game shortly after hitting a towering home run.
Jacob Gonzalez was pulled from the game after Murakami got hurt. He’s a SS but has played all four infield positions this season. https://t.co/yPWkGGyVPp
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) May 30, 2026
The 23-year-old, ranked as Chicago's No. 24 prospect by MLB.com, is hitting .317/.419/.668 with a Triple-A-best 19 homers and International League-leading 62 RBIs in 52 games with Charlotte this season. Gonzalez is a shortstop by trade but has seen time at all four infield positions this year, including five starts at first base.
Chicago will have to make an additional move to clear a 40-man roster spot for Gonzalez.
The White Sox can cover for Murakami's absence by moving third baseman Miguel Vargas - who replaced him at first base Friday - across the diamond and slotting in either Gonzalez or primary shortstop Colson Montgomery at the hot corner. Outfielder Rikuu Nishida, who was called up earlier this week, also has some infield experience if needed.
The White Sox overcame the loss of their big bopper for at least one night, defeating the Detroit Tigers 4-3 on Vargas' 10th-inning walk-off home run.
