CHICAGO (AP) 鈥� Munetaka Murakami is expected to return to the slumping Chicago White Sox on Friday night after being sidelined by a strained right hamstring.
Murakami made two rehab appearances with Triple-A Charlotte, going 2 for 7 with a double. Following Chicago’s to Boston on Thursday, White Sox manager Will Venable said Murakami would be in the starting lineup for the opener of the team’s weekend series against the Athletics.
鈥淗e鈥檚 ready to go,鈥� Venable said. 鈥淗e was challenged running the bases, defensively, had a really long game yesterday. So feel good about the workload, recovered well today so he鈥檚 ready to go.鈥�
Murakami got hurt during a over the Detroit Tigers on May 29, grabbing his right hamstring after beating a throw to first on a fielder鈥檚 choice in the third inning. At the time of the injury, ranked among the major league leaders with 20 homers, 41 RBIs, 43 runs and a .947 OPS.
Chicago (47-45) is in a virtual tie with Cleveland (48-46) for the lead in the sluggish AL Central. But the White Sox have dropped three in a row and six of eight overall. They managed just two runs and 15 hits in the three-game set against the Red Sox.
White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi said getting Murakami back right now is huge.
鈥淥bviously, he鈥檚 a presence in the lineup,鈥� he said. “He鈥檒l bring the energy, I think. It seems like the vibe in here is kind of down right now but I鈥檓 sure seeing him tomorrow will spark it back up.鈥�
The 26-year-old Murakami signed with Chicago in December. The White Sox went 17-18 while he was on the injured list.
鈥淲e understand the impact he makes on the field and in the clubhouse so to activate him is going to mean a lot for our group,鈥� Venable said. 鈥淩eally excited about him.鈥�
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