White Sox expect Murakami back in lineup Friday after hamstring injury

Munetaka Murakami is expected to return to the Chicago White Sox lineup Friday night after being sidelined since May 29 by a strained right hamstring. The 26-year-old outfielder made two rehab appearances with Triple-A Charlotte, going 2-for-7 with a double.

White Sox manager Will Venable said Murakami passed defensive and baserunning tests during the sessions. "He's ready to go," Venable said. "He was challenged running the bases, defensively, had a really long game yesterday.

contract background Murakami suffered the injury during a 4-3 win over the Detroit Tigers on May 29 while beating a throw to first base. At the time he ranked among major league leaders with 20 home runs, 41 RBI, 43 runs scored and a .947 OPS. Chicago signed the Japanese player to a $34 million, two-year contract in December. The team went 17-18 during his absence.

Team performance and teammate reaction The White Sox enter the weekend series against the Athletics at 47-45 and have lost three straight games. They scored only two runs across their previous three-game series. Outfielder Andrew Benintendi said the return should lift the clubhouse.

"Obviously, he's a presence in the lineup," he said. " Venable added that activating Murakami would have a meaningful impact both on the field and in the clubhouse.