Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami had multiple reasons to celebrate Friday.
In addition to being reinstated from the injured list, Murakami was named a reserve to the American League roster for Tuesday’s All-Star Game. He also will participate in Monday’s Home Run Derby in Philadelphia.
The Sox announced Murakami’s All-Star honors to the sellout crowd of 37,539 at Rate Field before a 14-1 victory against the Athletics.
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“Just truly happy,” Murakami said through an interpreter of the All-Star selection. “Because of the injury I thought I was not going to be playing for the All-Stars. So I’m just really happy that they called my name.”
Murakami went 1-for-5 with an RBI double Friday after returning from a lengthy stint on the injured list. He suffered a right hamstring strain on May 29 and went on the IL the next day.
“It was good,” manager Will Venable said of Murakami’s game. “I think still feeling his way. Obviously a few strikeouts (four) there but did a nice job that (seventh-inning) at-bat being aggressive early on and pounding a double there down the line. So really good stuff, nice progress and most importantly he feels good and came out of it healthy.”
Murakami added: “I’m really happy about the double, but more happy about the team win.”
Murakami also is thrilled to join teammate Miguel Vargas as the Sox representatives headed to Philadelphia for All-Star festivities. Vargas was named to the AL roster last week.
Murakami is slashing .239/.375/.556 with five doubles, 20 home runs, 42 RBIs, 44 walks, 43 runs and a .931 OPS over 58 games. The two-time Nippon Professional Baseball Japanese Central League Most Valuable Player signed a two-year deal with the Sox during the offseason after spending the previous eight seasons with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
Murakami entered Friday tied for seventh in the AL in home runs.
“That’s a lot of thump in the lineup, so it’s huge,” center fielder Tristan Peters told the Tribune before Friday’s game. “We’ve proven we can win games without him, but that can only make us better and I’m really excited to have him back.”
That power led to Murakami becoming the eighth rookie in Sox history to be named an All-Star, joining Shane Smith (2025), José Abreu (2014), Ron Kittle (1983), Carlos May (1969), Tommie Agee (1966), Jim Busby (1951) and Minnie Miñoso (1951).
“It’s really special, very deserving and to be able to have such a productive start to his season,” Venable said. “Even missing six weeks, he’s recognized for the work he’s done and has been able to put himself in a spot to be in the All-Star Game. He’s really deserving. We’re very proud of him. It’s awesome to see.”
Murakami joins Carlton Fisk (1985), Frank Thomas (1994-95), Paul Konerko (2002), Jermaine Dye (2006), Todd Frazier (2016) and Luis Robert Jr. (2023) as Sox players to participate in the Home Run Derby. Thomas won the event in 1995.
“I’ll probably be nervous, but hopefully I’ll hit a lot of home runs and make good results,” Murakami said.
He always had interest in the event.
“I had already got the offer (for the derby) and if my injury was recovering enough I would love to participate and there’s no chance I would be declining that,” he said. “It was always one of my goals to participate in the Home Run Derby, so I was actually really glad I was able to get back on time.”
The Sox went 17-18 in the 35 games Murakami was on the IL. He was glad to have the opportunity to contribute again Friday.
“It was always hard just looking from the bench,” Murakami said. “I always wanted to play on the field. But injuries are injuries. While I was gone, the whole team was really being as one and carrying the team together, as well as Jacob Gonzalez (who was optioned to Charlotte on Friday and traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates late in the evening) replacing me at first base, he was really successful during that time.
“I just really want to thank all the teammates and everybody who has supported me through the period and I’m really happy to be back.”