CLEVELAND — White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami is taking the final steps in his recovery from a hamstring injury — quickly.
He’s running the bases.
Manager Will Venable had said that Murakami needed to be able to run the bases on back-to-back days before going on a rehab assignment. Friday was the first day — he also took infield practice at first base — and he’s expected to run again Saturday.
If that goes well, Murakami could play at Triple-A Charlotte as soon as Sunday in Memphis. The Knights are off Monday, then begin a six-game homestand Tuesday. Venable also had said Murakami would need only a couple of days on the rehab assignment.
That means he could return to action on the Sox’ homestand next week. He was expected to miss four to six weeks after straining his right hamstring while running to first base on a grounder that led to a forceout at second. Next Friday will mark six weeks since the injury.
And that leads to an interesting scenario: If Murakami is named an All-Star — rosters will be revealed at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on Fox 32 — and he’s playing, would he attend the festivities July 13-14 in Philadelphia?
“I don’t know about that,” Venable said Friday before the game against the Guardians. “I just want him to get back healthy as soon as he can for us.
“I understand the implications of the All-Star Game and how awesome that is, and his performance has certainly warranted him participating in that game. But we want him with us being healthy and don’t have an exact timeline when that will be. The All-Star Game is not going to influence that.”
Murakami has spoken to the media once during his time on the injured list, and his interpreter, Kenzo Yagi, declined the Sun-Times’ request to speak with Murakami on Friday. When there’s news, such as his All-Star selection or activation from the IL, he’s expected to speak. Only then will we learn about his potential All-Star Game plans.
Even if the Sox were to prefer that Murakami not participate, MLB could require it. Last year, Brewers fire-balling right-hander Jacob Misiorowski was named as an injury replacement for the Cubs’ Matthew Boyd, playing in a record-low five games before becoming an All-Star. Even if Murakami isn’t named to the game Saturday, he could be someone’s injury replacement.
Whatever happens with the All-Star Game, the Sox will be thrilled to have Murakami back. Despite missing five weeks, he ranks second on the team with 20 home runs, only recently surpassed by Colson Montgomery, who hit his 21st homer Tuesday in Baltimore. Miguel Vargas is next with 19. Murakami also was tied for ninth in the majors entering Friday.
But the Sox have held their own without the Japanese slugger, entering Friday with a 15-14 record since he went on the IL. They also ranked tied for second in the majors with the Dodgers with 120 homers.
When Murakami returns, the Sox will have a difficult roster decision to make. Jacob Gonzalez has improved manning first base in Murakami’s stead, and he has gotten hot at the plate, too. In his previous eight games, Gonzalez batted .400 with a 1.088 OPS, one homer and 12 RBI. He also is batting .471 (8-for-17) with 14 RBI with runners in scoring position.
If the Sox keep Gonzalez, they’ll have to find playing time for him elsewhere. Perhaps they could bat Murakami as the designated hitter some to keep him off his feet. Even if they just send rookie outfielder Junior Perez back to Charlotte, the Sox still will have a puzzle to piece together.