White Sox Star Munetaka Murakami Exits With Hamstring Injury vs Tigers

Hamstring issue forces Munetaka Murakami out of White Sox vs Tigers game

The Southside Samurai, AL Rookie of the Year frontrunner, grabbed his leg in the 3rd inning vs the Tigers and will undergo further tests.

White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami left Friday’s game with a hamstring injury just 2 games after passing Shohei Ohtani for fastest Japanese player to 20 homers...

Chicago White Sox rookie slugger Munetaka Murakami exited Friday’s game vs the Detroit Tigers with a hamstring issue and is set for further tests.

The 26-year-old pulled up grabbing his leg after hustling to beat a double play at first base in the bottom of the third inning.

White Sox manager Will Venable said: “He'll be evaluated, and we'll see what he's got.”

Murakami left game after this play.pic.twitter.com/ikbq8Z5Yiz https://t.co/r7KvgjUNtP

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) May 30, 2026

The Southside Samurai had played every one of Chicago’s 56 games this season before Friday. He’s just two games removed from beating Shohei Ohtani’s record for the fastest Japanese player to 20 home runs.

Murakami reached 20 homers in 55 games. Ohtani needed 101 games to do it.

The rookie’s 20 home runs are tied with Yordan Alvarez for second in MLB, trailing only Kyle Schwarber’s 21. Schwarber is the reigning National League home run leader. Murakami’s 41 RBI rank second in the AL and seventh across the majors.

Chicago sits at 29-27 on the year, in second place in the AL Central behind the 34-25 Cleveland Guardians.

Murakami has been the obvious favorite for AL Rookie of the Year after inking a two-year, $34 million contract with the White Sox last offseason.