Overview
- The White Sox will activate Munetaka Murakami and place him in the starting lineup for Friday’s series opener against the Oakland Athletics after a two-game Triple‑A rehab.
- Murakami missed roughly six weeks with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain sustained while beating out a grounder on May 29 and worked through controlled game reps in Charlotte to test running and defense.
- He went 2-for-7 with a double in those two rehab games and kept his pre-injury power profile of 20 home runs and a high OPS as the backdrop for the quick return.
- Manager Will Venable said the club will monitor Murakami on a day-to-day basis and his activation will force a roster decision that most likely affects rookie first baseman Jacob Gonzalez.
- Chicago has cooled offensively while Murakami was on the injured list, losing six of eight and being swept by Boston, so his return could supply an immediate bat and boost to team morale but carries short-term re-injury risk that the team will manage.