White Sox reinstate Murakami from injured list ahead of Friday game

Murakami made two rehab appearances with Triple-A Charlotte, going 2-for-7 with a double. White Sox manager Will Venable said Murakami would be in the starting lineup for the opener of the team's weekend series against the Athletics.

"He's ready to go," Venable said. "He was challenged running the bases, defensively, had a really long game yesterday. " Murakami was injured during a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers on May 29, grabbing his right hamstring after beating a throw to first on a fielder's choice in the third inning.

947 OPS. The White Sox went 17-18 while Murakami was on the injured list. The team is in a virtual tie with another club for the lead in the AL Central but has dropped three in a row. White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi said getting Murakami back right now is huge.

"Obviously, he's a presence in the lineup," he said. "He'll bring the energy, I think. " The 26-year-old Murakami signed a $34 million, two-year contract with the White Sox in December. "We understand the impact he makes on the field and in the clubhouse so to activate him is going to mean a lot for our group," Venable said.