Munetaka Murakami is running … slowly. OK, more like jogging. And not for very long.
However you describe it, the White Sox’ home-run leader was in motion in short left field before the game Friday against the Dodgers, two weeks to the day since straining his right hamstring while running to first base.
Under the watchful eyes of Sox trainers — and almost a dozen Japanese reporters — Murakami ran for the second consecutive day, but he said his recovery remains within the initial timeline of four to six weeks.
“There’s progress, obviously,” manager Will Venable said. “He’s got the hammy, so he wasn’t out there sprinting at full speed. But I think everyone’s encouraged with the progress, and [he was] back out there today.
“There’s a lot of boxes he’s got to check still as you look at the progression between the running and the hitting and how the recovery is going. No updated timeline.”
“It’s coming along really well, progressing day by day,” Murakami said through interpreter Kenzo Yagi. “I think I’m doing well on the rehab itself. The pain has obviously gone down after two weeks. I’m really feeling good. I’m just going to keep focusing on what I have in front of me and stay very patient with myself.”
Patience will be key. The last thing the Sox want is for Murakami to aggravate the injury while rehabbing it or return to early and potentially do worse damage. Even though the first baseman has missed 10 games, he still leads the Sox — and entered Friday tied for third in the majors with the Twins’ Byron Buxton — with 20 home runs.
Murakami realizes he’s missing out on valuable experience learning the major leagues. He’ll spend game time supporting his teammates in any way he can.
“Playing is where you get the most experience, obviously,” he said. “But I’m just trying to do whatever’s possible [on] the bench, try to visualize stuff so that when I get back out there, I’m able to contribute the best I can.”
The Sox haven’t missed him to the point that they’re desperate to get him back. They were 6-4 without him, and they beat the major-league-leading Braves twice this week, with and without the long ball. Miguel Vargas and Braden Montgomery homered in a 6-5 win — Montgomery’s coming in walk-off fashion — and the Sox played small ball to win 2-1.
Still, imagine this new-look Sox lineup with Murakami in it. Since his injury, the team has called up Jacob Gonzalez and Braden Montgomery from Triple-A Charlotte. Gonzalez, who hit 19 homers in 52 games at Charlotte this season, was 8-for-26 with a homer since being promoted, and Montgomery was 4-for-9 with two doubles and a homer.
General manager Chris Getz will have to figure out who goes when Murakami returns, but if both rookies stay, the Sox’ lineup lengthens with potential pop. Vargas and Colson Montgomery are tied for second on the team with 16 homers, and Randall Grichuk quickly could join them. He has six homers in only 27 games, playing mostly against left-handed pitching.
It’s too bad both Murakami and Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani were out of the lineup. Ohtani didn’t start because of inflammation in his left knee. The Dodgers didn’t put him on the injured list, and they hope he’s able to play Saturday. Murakami said the two remain close after playing on Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.
It probably also was a bummer for Murakami’s parents, who made the trip from Japan but won’t get to see their son play.
“I’m really happy that they’re here,” Murakami said. “Obviously, I wanted to play in front of them, but that’s for next time. I just want to heal up quickly, and maybe next time they can see me play.”
Sox fans are counting the days.