Munetaka Murakami bats against the Nashville Sounds during a Triple-A rehab assignment with the Charlotte Knights on July 7, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina. A week later, he appeared in his first MLB All-Star Game. (©SANKEI)
Munetaka Murakami completed a minor league rehab assignment several days before the 2026 MLB All-Star Game. He then rejoined the Chicago White Sox lineup for a three-game series against the visiting Athletics (July 10-12).
In Philadelphia, the former Tokyo Yakult Swallows standout returned to the spotlight in the MLB Home Run Derby, which was held at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 13.
Only eight players participated in the Home Run Derby, with Jordan Walker of the St Louis Cardinals edging Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies 12-11 in the final round.
Earlier Monday, four players advanced to the second round. Murakami missed the cut. He bashed nine homers in the opening round.
Schwarber secured the final spot of the second round with 10 homers in round one. Tampa Bay Rays' Junior Caminero hit 12, while Walker and Boston Red Sox player Wilson Contreras had 13 apiece.
Murakami became the second Japanese MLB player to compete in the Home Run Derby, an annual event that takes place along with other All-Star Game festivities. Shohei Ohtani was the first in 2021.
'I Truly Enjoyed the Experience'
In the MLB All-Star Game, held on Tuesday, July 14, Munetaka Murakami entered the contest in the seventh inning as a defensive replacement at first base.
Murakami stepped into the batter's box to lead off the top of the ninth. He fanned on a 1-2 fastball from San Diego Padres pitcher Mason Miller.
The American League beat the National League 4-0, holding the Senior Circuit to three hits, a combined shutout by 11 pitchers.
Murakami was involved in the final play of the game. Sal Stewart hit a grounder to pitcher Bryan Baker, who tossed the ball to Murakami for the third out.
After the AL's victory, Murakami reflected on the experience of playing in his first MLB All-Star Game.
"I was thrilled to face such a tremendous pitcher for the first time on a stage like this, and I truly enjoyed the experience," Murakami was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.
Murakami, the only Japanese All-Star to appear in the game, also described his at-bat on this festive night in Philadelphia.
"I wasn't really thinking about anything, and I didn't even hear [the crowd]," he said, according to Kyodo News.
By the Numbers: Munetaka Murakami in 2026
Murakami has appeared in 60 regular-season games for the White Sox this season. He's hitting .232 with 20 homers, 42 RBIs and 45 runs. The left-handed batter also has a .540 slugging percentage.
Murakami missed 35 MLB games due to a right hamstring strain he sustained on May 29.
After the injury healed, he had a minor league rehab assignment.
In his two games with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights on July 7 and 8, Murakami went 2-for-7 with a double, a walk and a run. He had a hit in his first at-bat, a line-drive single to right in the first inning, against the visiting Nashville Sounds in the first game.
Murakami, winner of the Central League's Triple Crown while playing for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in 2022, is in the first year of a two-year deal with the White Sox. He left the Swalllows after the 2025 NPB season.
The 26-year-old Kumamoto native is reportedly interested in securing a contract extension with Chicago.
James Fegan, a reporter for the website Sox Machine, provided a preview of his All-Star Games notes article on X (formerly Twitter). Fegan tweeted, "All-Star first baseman Munetaka Murakami said he's not thinking or talking specifics about contract extensions right now, but affirmed that he would like to stay with the White Sox long-term."
The White Sox (50-45) and Cleveland Guardians (51-46) are tied for first in the American League Central.
In 2025, the White Sox had the worst record (60-102) in the AL.
Chicago begins the second half of its season against the Toronto Blue Jays with a three-game series, starting on Friday, July 17 at Rogers Centre.
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Author: Ed Odeven
Follow Ed's [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
