Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) nearing rehab games

Venable also said that the first baseman would get into rehab games as soon as he felt 100 percent. We may be another couple of weeks away from that, which means there is a chance Murakami is playing rehab games by July and could return just before the All-Star break.

Murakami is expected to miss at least 4-6 weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain over the weekend. The 26-year-old slugger will be on the shelf until at least late June. The hope is that the PRP injection will expedite the healing process. There should be a clearer return estimate once he’s cleared to ramp up baseball activities in a couple weeks.

It’s a significant hit for Chicago and fantasy managers as Murakami will remain on the shelf until at least late June, even in a best-case scenario. There’s a chance he’s out until around the All-Star break in mid-July. The 26-year-old power-hitter was putting together a phenomenal rookie campaign, slashing .240/.378/.560 with 43 runs scored, 20 homers, 41 RBI and one stolen base across 246 plate appearances through 57 games. There are some lingering contact concerns in his profile, but he’s looked like an over-the-fence power threat so far. There should be a clearer return timetable once he’s cleared to begin ramping up baseball activities. It’ll be Miguel Vargas moving over to cover first base with breakout prospect Jacob Gonzalez getting a chance with the White Sox in a multi-position role.

White Sox manager Will Venable said Murakami is likely facing a multi-week absence. The 26-year-old rookie sensation will undergo an MRI this weekend to determine the severity of the injury. He’s been an unexpected revelation in his Chicago debut, slashing .240/.378/.560 with 43 runs scored, 20 homers, 41 RBI and one stolen base across 246 plate appearances through 57 games. There’s almost no precedent in the Statcast era for a hitter combining a near-60 percent hard-hit rate and elite over-the-fence power while also striking out at a clip north of 32 percent. Even so, Murakami hasn’t looked overmatched in his stateside debut and should remain an upper-echelon fantasy contributor if his contact skills hold at a passable level. A more definitive timetable for his return should emerge later this weekend.

Venable added that Murakami will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, but he’s facing a multi-week absence, even in a best-case scenario. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports the White Sox are calling up infielder Jacob Gonzalez from Triple-A Charlotte to take his roster spot. The unheralded 24-year-old has torn the cover off the ball this season, hitting .308/.414/.646 with 18 homers and six steals in 51 games on the doorstep of the majors.

Murakami hustled to beat out a fielder’s choice in the third inning and came up grabbing at his right hamstring. He’ll head for further evaluation. Expect the White Sox to provide an update on his status as soon as more information becomes available.

Murakami homered for the third consecutive contest to reach the 20-homer plateau in just 55 games. He also chipped in his first career stolen base in this one, just for good measure. The 26-year-old rookie slugger’s elite power production doesn’t come as a total surprise, but the fact that he’s succeeding despite nearly 33 percent strikeout rate feels a bit unprecedented. The over-the-fence power is undeniable and he’s on pace to eclipse the 40-homer threshold in his first taste of the majors, which is pretty remarkable.

Murakami’s home run was his 19th. He hit a two-run shot off Joe Ryan to tied the game 2-2 in the eighth inning. Murakami is hitting just .234, but his power hitting remains elite. He has 39 runs scored and 39 RBI as well as a .917 OPS.

Murakami’s homer off Zebby Matthews in the first had a 41-degree launch angle, but it still made it a couple of rows deep in right field. It’s his second homer this year on 20 flyballs with at least a 40-degree launch angle. The others all turned into outs, although one was a sac fly. Murakami is the first American Leaguer with 18 homers this year. He’s two behind Kyle Schwarber for the MLB lead.

Murakami’s bases-loaded double to left was just his third extra-base hit that wasn’t a homer. He’s now tied for eighth in MLB with 36 RBI to go along with his 17 homers. He’s also fourth with his 40 walks, giving him a .387 OBP in spite of a .246 average.