Chicago, IL (AP) – Munetaka Murakami rejoined the Chicago White Sox on Friday night. The Japanese slugger also has finalized some big plans for next week’s All-Star break.
Murakami went 1 for 5 with one run scored and one RBI in a 14-1 victory over the Athletics after being activated from the 10-day injured list. He had been sidelined more than a month with a strained right hamstring. The rookie also was named to the AL All-Star team and added to the field for the Home Run Derby in Philadelphia.
Coaches and teammates clapped after Murakami was informed of the honors during a pregame clubhouse meeting.
“I just want to appreciate to every single player, staff and everybody in this organization to really support me through my rehabilitation process and I’m really glad to be back here with you guys,” Murakami said through an interpreter. “I’m able to participate in this event because of you guys really warming up to me, being a very good teammate and being there every single day. Having those teammates are what made me today, and I really like to appreciate that. And I feel really glad to represent the team and play for the White Sox in the All-Star Game.”
The 26-year-old Murakami started at first base in the opener of a weekend series against the Athletics. The White Sox went 17-18 while he was on the injured list.
Murakami got hurt during a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers on May 29. At the time of the injury, he ranked among the major league leaders with 20 homers, 41 RBIs, 43 runs and a .947 OPS.
The White Sox had dropped three in a row and six of eight overall going into the series against the A’s.
Murakami becomes the eighth rookie in franchise history to be named an All-Star, a list that also includes José Abreu (2014), Ron Kittle (1983) and Minnie Miñoso (1951). He is joining Shohei Ohtani (2021) as the only Japanese-born players to participate in the Derby.
Murakami signed a $34 million, two-year contract with Chicago in December. He made two rehab appearances with Triple-A Charlotte, going 2 for 7 with a double.
The White Sox also optioned infielder Jacob Gonzalez to Charlotte before the matchup with the A’s. Later Friday, they traded Gonzalez and left-hander Brandon Eisert to the Pittsburgh Pirates for left-hander Jaden Woods and the No. 34 overall pick in the amateur draft, which begins Saturday.
The 24-year-old Gonzalez, a first-round pick in the 2023 amateur draft, hit .244 with two homers and 17 RBIs in 30 games in his first stint in the major leagues.
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