Tokyo International News Agency

Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami was forced to leave a game early after suffering a right thigh injury. The team later announced the injury as 'right hamstring tightness,' and he is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. The incident occurred during his second at-bat in the third inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers on May 29, 2026. Murakami injured his leg while sprinting to first base and headed to the dugout with a frustrated expression. The home stadium fell into a temporary hush, and further detailed examinations are being conducted following his departure from the game. After the game, White Sox manager Will Venable revealed that Murakami is expected to miss several weeks. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI, and a stint on the Injured List (IL) seems inevitable. The sudden departure comes as a major blow to both the player and the team, as Murakami had appeared in all 57 games this season and was on a spectacular hot streak, including hitting home ...

Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox has achieved a phenomenal feat that rewrites Major League Baseball history. Starting as the number two hitter and first baseman against the Seattle Mariners on the 9th (Japan time), Murakami launched his 15th home run of the season in his first at-bat of the opening inning. This solo shot established a monumental record as the first player in MLB history to hit a home run in the opening game of eight consecutive series. The historic moment arrived immediately after the bottom of the first. Facing Mariners right-handed starter Hancock, Murakami connected perfectly with a sinker. Using his signature powerful swing, he drove the ball to the opposite field, where it sailed into the left-field bleachers. The blast recorded an exit velocity of 106.2 mph and a distance of 380 feet—a definitive strike worthy of his "Murakami-sama" (God Murakami) moniker. With this home run, Murakami climbed into a tie for the MLB home run lead alongside New ...

On May 5 (local time), Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox launched his 14th home run of the season during a matchup against the Los Angeles Angels. With this two-run blast, Murakami has reclaimed a share of the top spot in the Major League Baseball (MLB) home run rankings, pulling even with Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. Stepping into the batter's box in the top of the fourth inning with a two-run lead, Murakami made perfect contact with a pitch from Angels ace Soriano, who has been in peak form this season. The shot left the bat at 175.4 km/h (approximately 109 mph) with a launch angle of 32 degrees, traveling 130 meters (426 feet) for a towering arch into center field. Social media erupted with praise for his overwhelming swing, with fans describing it as "truly monster-class" and "a celestial strike from a physical bow." Earlier the same day, his rival Aaron Judge had momentarily taken the solo lead with his own 14th homer, but Murakami wasted n...

Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami launched his 11th home run of the season on April 25th in a game against the Nationals, a game-tying blast that propelled him into a tie for the Major League home run lead. This crucial hit, a valuable lifeline for his team, has generated significant buzz among baseball fans in both Japan and the United States. In the bottom of the fourth inning, with the White Sox trailing 1-0, Murakami stepped to the plate. He skillfully connected with a changeup from former Yomiuri Giants right-hander Miles Mikolas, sending a powerful shot deep to center field. The ball sailed into the stands, marking a vital solo home run that drew the game even. According to an MLB Japan post, this homer brought his season total to 11, tying him for the top spot across both leagues. Furthermore, Murakami is currently on a hot streak, having recorded hits in seven consecutive games. On social media, comments such as "Murakami-sama" (Lord Murakami), "His gre...

The professional baseball game between the Yakult Swallows and DeNA BayStars took place on August 11, 2025, where Yakult's Shoma Uchiyama delivered an overwhelming performance that captivated fans. In this game, Uchiyama hit his 7th home run of the season, a two-run shot, marking a new career high and recording a total of 3 RBIs. He also achieved a 'multiple-hit game' (three or more hits), powerfully leading the offense. The team's main slugger, Munetaka Murakami, also hit a home run, and their combined 'couple-arch' (consecutive or near-consecutive home runs) helped overcome DeNA's starting pitcher, Taira. On social media, a flurry of praise for Uchiyama's performance emerged, with comments like 'God, Buddha, Shoma Uchiyama-sama,' 'That's insane lol,' 'He's finally bloomed,' and 'His approach is divine.' Many technical evaluations of his batting content were also seen, such as 'He's hitting everything squa...