GLENDALE, Ariz. — Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami put a good swing on a pitch during the third inning of Tuesday’s game against the Athletics, flying out to center field.
He hammered another pitch in the fifth inning and made sure no one would track it down. Murakami hit his first home run of the spring during his return to Cactus League play in a 6-4 victory against the Athletics at Camelback Ranch.
Murakami participated in practice on Monday after playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic. He was in the Sox lineup Tuesday, going 1-for-4 with the solo home run while batting fourth and playing first base.
“I’m seeing the ball better, I’m swinging better,” Murakami said through an interpreter after Tuesday’s game, making a comparison to before his departure. “So I’ll keep that approach up and try to hit as much as possible.”
The slugger said he’s also made strides with his conditioning. He played in four games with the Sox before joining Japan, going 5-for-13 with two doubles and two RBIs.
Chicago White Sox’s Munetaka Murakami slaps hands with White Sox third base coach Justin Jirschele as Murakami rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Athletics during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
“His first stretch here was awesome,” manager Will Venable said before Tuesday’s game. “He really engaged with the program. He connected with his teammates, got an understanding of how to support him, some of the things that are important to him to feel like he’s at his best and to train at the level that gets him ready. Obviously more first base for him and some of the nuance there.
“(Infield coach Justin Jirschele) and the group did a really nice job up front getting him going on that, and now (it’s) kind of picking up where he left off. We have put a lot of different stuff in since he was gone, so these last couple days have been some classroom sessions, getting up to speed on some stuff. We had a nice day of team fundamentals where we addressed some stuff, so feel good about where he’s at and take advantage of the last few days.”
Murakami went 4-for-19 with one home run and five RBIs in five games at the WBC. He hit a grand slam during pool play against the Czech Republic. Japan lost to Venezuela in a quarterfinal on Saturday.
“To be able to participate in a world tournament with world-tier players is just a blessing,” Murakami said. “For myself to be on a team with incredible athletes and incredible teammates, they were a pleasure to be with.
“My biggest wish was to win the championship and come back. I was disappointed, however my teammates said without injuries, I was able to come back healthy and I’m really just glad to meet them and be with them again.”
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He’s hopeful the experience will pay off down the line.
“The main thing is when I look back after the season, I would love to say that that experience in the WBC really helped me out with my accomplishment in the season,” Murakami said. “That’s what I would like to say when we end in a good result.”
Tuesday, he grounded out to the pitcher in the first inning before flying out to center field in the third. In the fifth, he fell behind in the count 1-2 against A’s starter Luis Morales before driving a 96.6 mph fastball over the left-center wall. The home run, with an exit velocity of 108.5 mph, went 419 feet.
“It was perfect, just perfect,” Murakami said.
In his return to camp, Murakami said he is looking forward to continuing to form connections with his Sox teammates.
“The teammates are just great people,” he said. “I’m building that relationship and having that bond. I’m in a really good spot.”
Murakami wants to get as many looks at big-league pitching as he continues ramping up for the season.
“My first priority would be to not get injured and stay healthy,” Murakami said. “I still haven’t seen a lot of major-league pitchers yet, so I’ll try to get as much as possible so that I’ll be ready to go in the season.”