Murakami May Delay MLB Jump as Performance Uncertainty Threatens Market Value

An injury to the side of the abdomen can become a recurring issue.

Slugger Munetaka Murakami (25) of the Yakult Swallows has played in only one first-team game this season, having reported issues with his upper body condition. A month has passed since he was sent down for reconditioning, but there is still no set timeline for his return.

He finally made his season debut on April 17 against the Hanshin Tigers, after a delayed start to his campaign. He returned as the cleanup hitter and left fielder, but in the 9th inning, right after swinging in his at-bat, he clutched his side and voluntarily took himself out of the game.

“The side muscles can’t really be strengthened, and once injured, the pain can become chronic and recur repeatedly. For a power hitter with a large frame and powerful swing, it can be a potentially career-threatening injury. The prolonged recovery may suggest his condition isn’t improving as expected,” commented a former team member.

Murakami, who became the first Triple Crown winner in the Reiwa era, is widely expected to pursue a move to Major League Baseball via the posting system this offseason. In April, American media reported that he could land a deal worth around $300 million (about 44 billion yen), and teams such as the Yankees have expressed interest.

“Murakami and his management quietly secured a verbal agreement from the Swallows to allow a posting request. One reason he didn’t push to play from the start of the season was likely the fear of worsening his condition and failing the medical checks, which could jeopardize the massive deal he’s targeting,” the same source added.

Initially, Murakami’s camp was hoping to sign with a major-market team that could offer a massive contract, such as the Dodgers (home of Shohei Ohtani, 30) or the Mets (home of Kodai Senga, 32). However, there are now signs that his team is considering a change in strategy.

“Like Tomoyuki Sugano (35), who joined the Orioles this season, Murakami may now be looking at starting with a smaller-market team, getting regular playing time, and then aiming for a big free-agent deal in a few years. Sugano, being older, only managed a one-year deal worth about 1.9 billion yen, but Murakami, still young, could afford time to adjust to MLB play without it hurting his long-term contract prospects,” said an MLB scout.

Still, with Murakami unable to even play in NPB games due to his injury, there’s a growing concern that the type of offer he initially expected may not materialize.

“Rather than forcing a move now, they may be thinking it’s better to wait another year before heading to the U.S., or take more time to find a team where he can play regularly and build a long career. Yakult sees Murakami as a key figure in the organization and will support whatever decision he makes. ‘Let Mune do whatever he wants’—that’s the stance,” said a Swallows team official.

Choosing the more prudent path may be the key to realizing a long-held dream.