What happened: The Chicago White Sox reinstated slugger Munetaka Murakami from the injured list after a 35-game absence. The activation follows a series sweep by the Boston Red Sox.
Why it matters: Murakami returns to provide an immediate power upgrade for a batting order that has stagnated. The recent string of losses highlighted a lack of offensive depth, exposing the need for a reliable run producer.
By the numbers: Chicago posted a 17-18 record while Murakami was sidelined. During the recent sweep, the club became the first MLB team this season to go three consecutive games without an extra-base hit.
What to watch: Murakami is expected to resume his usual role in the starting lineup for the upcoming series.