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Munetaka Murakami injury updates: Latest news on White Sox slugger, AL HR leader after leaving game vs. Tigers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Arguably no MLB offseason acquisition has paid off more already than the Chicago White Sox's bet on Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami.
Murakami had a surprisingly quiet market after being posted for MLB clubs to sign — partially because of defensive concerns and questions of how his "three true outcomes" type of approach would translate. But so far, even while striking out a ton, he's proven any doubters wrong, ranking among the league's home run leaders as Chicago has enjoyed a bit of a resurgence.
However, in Friday's game against the Detroit Tigers, Murakami exited with an apparent injury, putting his status into question.
Here's the latest on Murakami after being pulled from Friday's matchup.
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Munetaka Murakami injury updates
Coming into Friday's AL Central showdown with Detroit, Murakami had appeared in all 56 of the White Sox's games this season. Not only has he been durable as a first baseman and designated hitter, but he's quickly emerged as one of MLB's deadliest power threats — and he's a significant part of the reason for Chicago hanging around .500 so far after years of struggles.
However, in the third inning of Friday's game, Murakami hit a ground ball to second base and beat the throw for a potential double play, then was seen grabbing at his right hamstring.
Murakami was subsequently pulled from the game, and the White Sox announced he would undergo "further evaluation."
What happened to Munetaka Murakami?
The White Sox are referring to Murakami's injury as "right hamstring tightness" for now. The injury came in the third inning of Friday's game against the Tigers, as Murakami began grabbing at his hamstring after sprinting to first base on a ground ball.
Murakami beat the throw from second, but began wincing and limping afterward.
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Munetaka Murakami stats
Murakami is just 56 games into his MLB career, but he's already proven himself as an All-Star level power hitter, even while hitting just .242 and striking out 79 times — tied for second-most in the league.
Here's a look at Murakami's numbers so far:
| Games | H-AB | R | 2B | HR | RBI | BB | Ks | SB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | WAR |
| 56 | 48-198 | 43 | 4 | 20 | 41 | 44 | 79 | 1 | .242 | .381 | .566 | .947 | 1.9 |
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AL Home run leaders
Coming into Friday's game, Murakami was tied with Yordan Alvarez for the American League lead in home runs, swatting 20 in his first 56 games.
Here's a look at the current AL home run leaders:
| Player | Team | Home Runs |
| Yordan Alvarez | Astros | 20 |
| Munetaka Murakami | White Sox | 20 |
| Byron Buxton | Twins | 17 |
| Aaron Judge | Yankees | 17 |
| Ben Rice | Yankees | 16 |
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