\u201cI\u2019m seeing the ball better, I\u2019m swinging better,\u201d Murakami said through an interpreter after Tuesday\u2019s game, making a comparison to before his departure. \u201cSo I\u2019ll keep that approach up and try to hit as much as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The slugger said he\u2019s also made strides with his conditioning. He played in four games<\/a> with the Sox before joining Japan, going 5-for-13 with two doubles and two RBIs.<\/p>\n \u201cHis first stretch here was awesome,\u201d manager Will Venable said before Tuesday\u2019s game. \u201cHe 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201c(Infield coach Justin Jirschele) and the group did a really nice job up front getting him going on that, and now (it\u2019s) 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\u2019s at and take advantage of the last few days.\u201d<\/p>\n Murakami went 4-for-19 with one home run and five RBIs in five games at the WBC. He hit a grand slam<\/a> during pool play against the Czech Republic. Japan lost to Venezuela in a quarterfinal on Saturday.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be able to participate in a world tournament with world-tier players is just a blessing,\u201d Murakami said. \u201cFor myself to be on a team with incredible athletes and incredible teammates, they were a pleasure to be with.<\/p>\n \u201cMy 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\u2019m really just glad to meet them and be with them again.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ctc-z-Athletics-White-Sox-Spring-Baseball_260700682.jpg\")
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)<\/p>\n