White Sox rookie Murakami leaves game with hamstring issue

Chicago White Sox rookie slugger Munetaka Murakami left Friday night's game against the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field due to right hamstring tightness. The injury occurred in the third inning as Murakami beat a throw to first base on a fielder's choice grounder, after which he immediately grabbed his hamstring.

The 26-year-old first baseman was replaced by pinch-runner Luisangel Acuña, who later scored in the inning following a double by teammate Miguel Vargas. The White Sox announced that Murakami was undergoing further evaluation to determine the severity of the injury.

Murakami has been a central figure in the team's improved performance this season. Signed from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball in December to a two-year contract, he entered Friday's game tied for second in Major League Baseball with 20 home runs, trailing only Philadelphia's Kyle Schwarber. He also led the American League in runs batted in with 41 and ranked among league leaders in walks and on-base percentage.

The White Sox, who finished with the worst record in the American League last season, currently hold second place in the AL Central with a record of 29-27, trailing the Cleveland Guardians...