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Murakami has been sidelined since s uffering a Grade 2 strain on
May 29, when he got hurt trying to beat out a double play
grounder against Detroit. At the time of his injury, Murakami
was tied for the AL lead in homers and was first in runs.
He's been traveling with the White Sox and following Sunday's
7-6 win over the Guardians, manager Will Venable said Murakami
will leave to play with the Knights. If all goes well, it's
possible he could be back with Chicago before the All-Star
break.
“I'm just really happy that I am able to get back to playing
baseball,” Murakami said through an interpreter on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Murakami is batting .240 with 20 homers, 43 runs
and 41 RBIs in his first season with the White Sox, who signed
the Japanese free agent to a two-year, $34-million contract in
December.
Chicago has been one of baseball's biggest surprises this season
and the White Sox managed to stay near the top of the AL Central
without Murakami. In splitting the four-game series with
Cleveland, Chicago moved back into first by one game.
“It took a lot,” Venable said after the White Sox won the
weather-delayed series finale. “There was a lot going on in that
game.”
The White Sox went 17-15 without Murakami, but will soon have
him back to bolster the middle of their batting order.
“There’s a possibility that he plays for us before the break,
for sure,” Venable said. “We need him back obviously on the
field, but just his presence, it means so much to have him in
the lineup, what that does for you."
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