GLENDALE, Ariz. — Slugger Munetaka Murakami is on his way back to the Chicago White Sox.
The infielder had a flight scheduled for Sunday to return following Japan’s loss to Venezuela in a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal on Saturday in Miami.
Murakami went 4-for-19 with one home run and five RBIs in five games. He hit a grand slam during pool play against the Czech Republic.
“He’ll be in camp tomorrow,” manager Will Venable said Sunday at Camelback Ranch. “But whether we see him in the game or not, will kind of depend on how he recovers from the flight. Just want to make sure that he’s in a good spot before we put him back out there.”
Here are three more takeaways from Sunday at Sox camp.
1. Pitcher Mike Vasil awaits next steps after exiting Saturday with right elbow soreness.
Chicago White Sox pitcher Mike Vasil pitches during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in a Cactus League game at Camelback Ranch on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Mike Vasil awaited an update Sunday morning after leaving Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers with right elbow soreness.
“At this moment we’re going to look over scans, more tests, try to figure out some more stuff and look at the imaging and go from there,” Vasil said.
The right-hander exited in the fourth inning.
“Something just didn’t feel right,” he said. “Any time with an elbow you just want to be precautionary, especially this time of year. I think for me, if something’s not feeling right, you’ve got to speak up, got to say something.
“Had them come out there and we just decided it was best to not push.”
Vasil allowed two hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 3 2/3 scoreless innings Saturday.
“I was feeling good,” Vasil said. “It was very upsetting yesterday to have to leave an outing, especially where I felt so good and so locked in against a very good lineup.
“For me, all the stuff I’ve been doing and working towards, just feeling good.”
Vasil, who has been competing for a spot in the starting rotation, has a 1.64 ERA in four spring appearances (two starts).
“Mike’s one of those guys that just stays really positive,” Venable said. “He’ll just continue to work and will be evaluated and we’ll see what we’ve got.”
2. Braden Montgomery and Josh Breaux were reassigned to minor-league camp.
Chicago White Sox outfielder Braden Montgomery participates in media day during spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
The Sox made two roster moves Sunday morning, reassigning outfielder Braden Montgomery and catcher Josh Breaux to minor-league camp.
“They both had great camps,” Venable said. “Josh, first of all, did a great job. Continuing to work on his defense, the relationships he built with our pitchers, the way he handled them in games was awesome. Really good camp for him.
“And Braden, I thought he had an outstanding camp, too. We saw some of the defense, we saw the base running. Did a nice job at the plate. He continues to progress. He’s a young kid who is continuing to figure it out. Looks like he belongs amongst the big leaguers on the field. So nice camp for him, too.”
Montgomery is the top-rated prospect in the Sox system, according to MLB.com. He is 8-for-23 (.348) with one home run and three RBIs in 12 Cactus League games.
“I just know he certainly looks the part,” Venable said. “He also has things that he really has to work on. The left-handed swing is behind the right-handed swing, or maybe a better way to say it is the right-handed swing is just way more advanced and there’s less to clean up there. Has some work to do defensively.
“Did a great job, specifically unlocking some pre-pitch movements that are going to help his first step. We asked him to play a bunch of different spots out there in the outfield and I think he took to all of them really well. It certainly, defensively, he has some work to do. And again, on the left side of the plate. He’s aware of that. The great thing about him is he’s just so hungry to be great and he’s putting in all the right work.”
With Sunday’s moves, the Sox have 48 players remaining in camp: 24 pitchers, four catchers, 10 infielders and 10 outfielders.
3. Prospect Hagen Smith strikes out 5 of 7 batters.
Chicago White Sox pitcher Hagen Smith participates in media day during spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Another highly touted prospect, Hagen Smith, struck out five in two hitless innings Sunday against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium.
Smith faced seven batters on Sunday. In addition to the five strikeouts, Smith walked one batter and got a groundout.
“There were some fastball misses I’d like to take back, but overall felt good, body felt good and I was good with it,” Smith said.
Smith has a 4.91 ERA this spring, allowing two earned runs in 3 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts and one walk. MLB.com ranks Smith the No. 4 prospect in the Sox system.
“I feel really good, I was a lot better than I was last year at this time,” Smith said. “Everything feels good, threw a couple of cutters today for the first time in a game in a while, so that was good.”
Smith said watching fellow lefty Anthony Kay inspired him to work on the cutter.
“I’ve been wanting to throw a cutter, and it kind of lined up perfectly,” Smith said.