White Sox star slugger Munetaka Murakami leaves game with hamstring injury

White Sox's Munetaka Murakami leaves the game after hamstring injury
White Sox's Munetaka Murakami leaves the game after hamstring injury: Matt Dirksen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA

Chicago White Sox rookie star Munetaka Murakami left Friday's game against the Detroit Tigers with a hamstring injury and will undergo further evaluation.

Murakami, 26, grabbed his leg after beating out a double play at first base during the bottom of the third inning. 

"He'll be evaluated, and we'll see what he's got," said White Sox manager Will Venable. 

The Southside Samurai has played in all 56 games this season for the White Sox heading into this season. He's just two games removed after beating out superstar Shohei Ohtani for the fastest to 20 home runs by a Japanese player. 

Murakami achieved the feat in 55 games, while Ohtani took 101 games.

The rookie's 20 homers this season are tied for the second-most in the majors alongside Yordan Alvarez, as both sit behind Kyle Schwarber (21), the reigning National League home run king. Meanwhile, his 41 RBI are the second-most in the AL (seventh in MLB).

The White Sox are currently 29-27 this season, sitting in second place in the American League Central division behind the Cleveland Guardians (34-25). 

Murakami has been the clear-cut frontrunner for this year's American League Rookie of the Year Award after signing a two-year, $34 million deal with the White Sox this past offseason. 

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