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White Sox Discussing Extension With Munetaka Murakami
Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz said on Wednesday that meetings continue with first baseman Munetaka Murakami on a contract extension, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. Getz said that negotiations are sensitive, so no specific information will be coming from the team. The two sides began talking late in the summer. The 26-year-old Japanese left-handed slugger hit only .207 (94-for-454) during the regular season with a 35.4% strikeout rate, but he added 35 home runs, 77 RBI, 82 runs scored, and a stolen base in 127 games across 553 plate appearances in his first year in the States. Murakami made a statement in his first year with the Pale Hose after signing a two-year, $34 million contract as a free agent. He helped the White Sox turn things around big time after they were one of the worst franchises in the game in 2025. Murakami's power from the left side is apparent, but his swing-and-miss ways are a cause for concern for fantasy managers. He also finished ice-cold at the dish to close the season with a .156/.299/.375 slash line in the last two months of the regular season.
Source: 670 The Score - Bruce Levine
Source: 670 The Score - Bruce Levine
Miguel Vargas Showing Off Increased Speed in September
Chicago White Sox corner infielder Miguel Vargas has been one of the breakout success stories of the 2026 season, hitting .249/.358/.475 with 31 home runs, 84 RBI, 98 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases across 658 plate appearances. The 26-year-old's underlying metrics largely support his power emergence, as he's posted a 13.4% barrel rate and a 44.2% hard-hit rate. Vargas also offers an elite approach at the plate, logging a 13.7% walk rate while striking out in just 17.9% of his plate appearances. Vargas has also significantly boosted his aggression on the basepaths in recent games, going six-for-six as a base stealer in September. Heading into the final stretch of the regular season, Vargas profiles as an elite option at either third or first base for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Munetaka Murakami Snaps Skid With Two Homers Against Astros
Chicago White Sox corner infielder Munetaka Murakami broke out of a funk at the plate in a big way in Sunday's 12-3 blowout win over the visiting Houston Astros. Murakami went 3-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, six RBI, and three runs scored to boost his season batting average to .239 and his OPS to .921. The 26-year-old left-handed-hitting Japanese slugger was hitting .184 (7-for-38) in 11 games in July since coming off the injured list before his big performance in Sunday's series finale. He's now slashing .239/.378/.543 in his first major-league season with 22 home runs, 48 RBI, 53 runs scored, and a stolen base in 69 games across 299 plate appearances. Murakami has recorded hits in each of his last three games, so fantasy managers are hoping that he is ready to turn things around as we head into August. His power looks to be for real, and he's also walking 18.1% of the time, but he will not be a reliable source of batting average with his 32.4% strikeout rate. He has also struggled mightily against southpaws, batting .194 (14-for-72) against them with only four of his 22 homers and a 33:16 K:BB.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Miguel Vargas Back in Lineup After Injury Scare
Chicago White Sox corner infielder Miguel Vargas (hand) was forced from the team's game on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays late after taking a pitch off his hand in the eighth inning, according to Zach Worden of MLB.com. Vargas' removal from the game appeared to be a precaution, and that has been confirmed now that he's officially starting at third base and batting third on Saturday against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Shane Bieber, per MLB.com. He homered in Tuesday's All-Star Game and has been a key piece of the White Sox's stunning revival in 2026. After Friday's game against Toronto, he's now hitting .245/.356/.490 with 21 home runs in 95 games played. Fantasy managers will want to get Vargas back in their starting lineups on Saturday, even though he's only hitting .227 (10-for-44) with two homers, five doubles, seven RBI, nine runs, six walks, and nine strikeouts in 12 games so far in July. Vargas has never faced Bieber in his big-league career.
Source: MLB.com - Zach Worden
Source: MLB.com - Zach Worden
Munetaka Murakami Would Like to Stay With White Sox Long-Term
Chicago White Sox All-Star first baseman Munetaka Murakami said he's not thinking or talking specifics about contract extensions right now, but he affirmed that he would like to stay with the White Sox long-term, according to James Fegan of Baseball America. Murakami signed a two-year, $34 million deal to come to the States and play for the White Sox, and he was named a first-time All-Star in 2026 despite spending time on the injured list with a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger took the league by storm early on and finished the first half of the season by hitting .232/.371/.540 with a .911 OPS, 20 home runs, 42 RBI, 45 runs scored, and a stolen base across his first 211 at-bats in Chicago. If Murakami continues to slug in the second half, the Pale Hale might want to start extension talks with the Japanese native sooner rather than later. Murakami most likely won't be a batting average asset with an elevated 33.6% strikeout rate, but the power is real, and he's also walking at a 17.8% clip, making himself serviceable in on-base-percentage leagues.
Source: Baseball America - James Fegan
Source: Baseball America - James Fegan
Munetaka Murakami Joins Home Run Derby Field
Chicago White Sox corner infielder Munetaka Murakami will be the final entrant in this year's Home Run Derby, which will take place at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Monday, according to MLB. Murakami just returned from the injured list after missing over six weeks with a hamstring strain in Friday's win over the Athletics and went 1-for-5 at the plate with an RBI double, a run scored, and four strikeouts. The 26-year-old Japanese native took the league by storm earlier this season before his injury in his first year in the States, and he's currently hitting .239/.375/.556 with a .931 OPS, 20 home runs, 42 RBI, 44 runs scored, and a stolen base across 58 games played and 251 plate appearances. Murakami should remain high up in Chicago's batting order going into the second half of the season. He's displayed plenty of power potential, but he also has a 33.5% strikeout rate and can go cold for stretches. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues may want to consider selling high before we even get to the second half. Murakami holds a .218 xBA and a .373 xwOBA (wOBA of .392), so regression is expected.
Source: MLB
Source: MLB
Pirates Acquire Jacob Gonzalez From the White Sox
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-handed reliever Brandon Eisert from the Chicago White Sox on Friday for the 34th pick in the 2026 MLB draft on Saturday and left-handed reliever Jaden Woods, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Gonzalez, the 15th overall pick by Chicago in 2023 out of the University of Mississippi, was considered the White Sox's No. 22 prospect before the trade. He was brought up to the big leagues for the first time when Munetaka Murakami went on the injured list with a hamstring injury, and he made his debut on the South Side on May 31. In his first 30 games at the major-league level, Gonzalez hit .244 (21-for-86) with two home runs, 17 RBI, and 11 runs scored in 97 plate appearances. The Pirates swooped in to trade for the left-handed hitter after Murakami returned from the IL on Friday. Gonzalez is now worth a look in NL-only fantasy leagues with the potential for regular playing time in Pittsburgh, with both shortstop Konnor Griffin (finger) and first baseman Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) on the shelf.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
White Sox Officially Reinstate Munetaka Murakami From Injured List
The Chicago White Sox officially announced on Friday that they reinstated corner infielder Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list and optioned rookie infielder Jacob Gonzalez to Triple-A Charlotte in a corresponding move. The White Sox haven't released their starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the visiting Athletics and left-hander Jacob Lopez, but Murakami should be back in the starting nine. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger will be returning from a Grade 2 hamstring strain that he suffered on May 29, which caused him to miss 35 games. Before his injury, the Japanese native hit .240/.378/.560 with a .938 OPS, 20 long balls, 41 RBI, 43 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 200 at-bats for the Pale Hose. Murakami went 2-for-7 with an RBI during his two minor-league rehab games with Charlotte. Fantasy managers will want to return him to their starting lineups immediately, and hopefully he can pick up where he left off as one of the hottest hitters in all of baseball to close out the first half of the 2026 season.
Source: Chicago White Sox
Source: Chicago White Sox
Munetaka Murakami Could Return on Friday
Chicago White Sox corner infielder Munetaka Murakami (hamstring), who has been on the 10-day injured list since suffering a Grade 2 strained right hamstring on May 29, could return to the White Sox's starting lineup as soon as Friday for the series opener against the Athletics, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Murakami got three at-bats and played five innings at first base for Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday night and received positive reports. The 26-year-old Japanese native took the league by storm earlier this year in his first taste of major-league pitching, hitting .240 (48-for-200) with 20 home runs, 41 RBI, 43 runs scored, and a stolen base in 57 games and 246 plate appearances. "He means a lot for this lineup. He's a great hitter. Not just for the lineup but the clubhouse in general. He's a great leader. He's a guy who everyone here looks to. It means a lot to everyone here," third baseman Miguel Vargas said. In his two rehab games with the Knights, Murakami has gone 2-for-7 with a double and a walk. His impending return could cause rookie first baseman Jacob Gonzalez to be shipped back to Charlotte.
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Munetaka Murakami Slated to Begin Rehab Assignment with Triple-A Charlotte
Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) traveled to Charlotte on Monday and will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A on Tuesday, per Scott Merkin on MLB.com. Murakami has been sidelined since late May due to a hamstring injury, but it appears he has a chance to return to the big leagues before the All-Star break. The 26-year-old was having an electric rookie season before getting injured, hitting .240/.378/.560 with 20 home runs, 41 RBI, 43 runs scored, and one stolen base across 246 plate appearances. With a 32.5% strikeout rate, Murakami's batting average upside is limited. However, he posted elite barrel (20.7%) and hard-hit (58.7%) rates. Once he returns, Murakami profiles as a must-start fantasy first baseman with immense power upside.
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Munetaka Murakami is Nearing Rehab Assignment
Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) was able to run the bases without any issues for the second straight day ahead of Sunday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. Barring any setbacks, Murakami is expected to head to Triple-A Charlotte to begin a minor league rehab assignment early next week. The lefty slugger has been sidelined since May 30 due to a right hamstring strain. If everything goes well, Murakami could return to the White Sox lineup for the final series before the All-Star break against the Athletics. At worst, it sounds like the White Sox should have Murakami back after the break, which is huge for this offense. Murakami blasted 20 home runs with 41 RBI before landing on the shelf at the end of May.
Source: Scott Merkin
Source: Scott Merkin
Munetaka Murakami "Day-to-Day," No Timetable for a Rehab Assignment
Chicago White Sox corner infielder Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) is on the road trip with the team and is considered "day-to-day," but there is no timetable for him to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, according to manager Will Venable. Murakami landed on the 10-day injured list on May 30 with a strained right hamstring, and with no rehab assignment on the horizon, fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect him to return before the mid-July All-Star break. He's making progress, though, with Venable saying last week that Murakami was sprinting around "85 percent" intensity. In his first year in the States, the 26-year-old left-handed slugger has been a major value for fantasy managers, clubbing 20 home runs, driving in 41 runs, and scoring 43 bases in 200 at-bats while slashing .240/.378/.560 with a .938 OPS. Until he's able to return, Jacob Gonzalez should continue to see most of the playing time at first base for the Pale Hose.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jacob Gonzalez Shows Signs of Life in Five-RBI Game
Chicago White Sox rookie infielder Jacob Gonzalez came into his 20th major-league game on Friday against the division-rival Kansas City Royals hitting a mere .189/.283/.245 with a .529 OPS, one homer, five RBI, five runs scored, five walks, and 16 strikeouts in 60 plate appearances. The 24-year-old former 15th overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft out of the University of Mississippi had a much-needed big game in the 22-1 blowout win over the Royals on Friday, though, going 3-for-5 at the plate with a home run, a double, five RBI, three runs scored, and a walk to boost his average to .228 and his OPS to .674. Gonzalez finished just a triple shy of the cycle and recorded the first three-hit game of his career in a game in which the White Sox's bats could not be stopped. He recently was mired in an 0-for-25 slump before picking up multiple hits in his last two games. Is he breaking out? Potentially, but fantasy managers in single-year mixed leagues are going to want to see more before considering adding him off the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Miguel Vargas Collects Three Hits, Homer, Five RBI Against Royals
The Chicago White Sox bats were red-hot on Friday night in the 22-1 rout over the division-rival Kansas City Royals, and corner infielder Miguel Vargas was right in the center of the action. Vargas finished the night 3-for-6 at the plate with a home run, a double, five RBI, two runs scored, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .246 and his OPS to .841. Vargas was just a triple short of the cycle, and it continued a hot stretch for the 26-year-old Cuban. He is now carrying a modest four-game hitting streak in which he has gone 7-for-18 with three extra-base hits and seven RBI. In his second full season with the White Sox, Vargas is now slashing .246/.357/.484 with a career-high 18 long balls, 50 RBI, 54 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 343 plate appearances. His breakout season in his fifth year in the big leagues for the surprising ChiSox is the reason why he's now rostered in over 90% of Yahoo leagues. Vargas came into Friday's series opener against KC with a .263 average (20-for-76) with four homers, three doubles, 11 RBI, 10 runs, and a steal in 20 games played.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jacob Gonzalez Remains a Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire
Chicago White Sox infielder Jacob Gonzalez got off to a hot start to his MLB career after making his debut on May 31, posting an .841 OPS across his first 23 plate appearances. However, the 24-year-old has struggled of late and is currently mired in a 0-19 skid at the plate. Across 47 plate appearances overall, Gonzalez is hitting .195/.298/.268 with one home run, five RBI, three runs scored, and a 29.8% strikeout rate. Still, Gonzalez got off to a ridiculous start to the 2026 season at Triple-A, hitting .319 with 19 home runs, 62 RBI, 42 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across 238 plate appearances. He also appears likely to have an extended runway to prove himself at the big-league level with White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) currently on the injured list with a hamstring injury. Despite the current skid, Gonzalez could still be worth targeting on the waiver wire for his power upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
