EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — J.J. McCarthy was knocked out of the Minnesota Vikings’ game against the New York Giants on Sunday with an injury to his right, throwing hand. The team said he would not return.
McCarthy was crushed by unblocked pass rusher Brian Burns on a strip sack with 24 seconds remaining in the first half. The 22-year-old quarterback walked off the field with trainers after the play that resulted in a fumble recovery and a touchdown for the Giants.
Rookie backup Max Brosmer replaced McCarthy to take Minnesota's final snap before halftime and took a knee.
McCarthy missed a game late last month while in concussion protocol and has also been sidelined by a sprained right ankle after his entire rookie year was wiped out by a torn meniscus in his right knee.
He was 9 of 14 for 108 yards passing, ran for a TD and had a would-be pick-6 before getting hurt in a game that has no playoff implications. The 6-8 Vikings were eliminated before beating Dallas last weekend, and the 2-12 Giants are on an eight-game losing streak.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) hands off the ball to running back Aaron Jones (33) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes against the New York Giants during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) reacts during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
CHICAGO (AP) — The rebuilding Chicago White Sox added Munetaka Murakami to their lineup on Sunday, agreeing to a $34 million, two-year contract with the Japanese slugger.
Murakami, who turns 26 on Feb. 2, joins a promising group of young hitters that also includes Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox finished last in the AL Central this year with a 60-102 record, a 19-game improvement from the previous season.
Murakami gets a $1 million signing bonus payable within 30 days and salaries of $16 million next year and $17 million in 2027.
His 2027 salary can escalate based on awards earned in 2026: $1 million for winning an MVP award, $500,000 for finishing second or third in the voting, $250,000 for fourth through 10th and $250,000 for Rookie of the Year.
He can't be assigned to the minor leagues without his consent and will be a free agent at the end of the contract. He also gets a team-provided interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S.
Chicago owes a posting fee of $6,575,000 to Yakult, Murakami's Central League team. The Swallows also would receive a supplemental fee of 15% of any triggered escalators.
Murakami would become the fourth Japanese-born player to play for the White Sox, joining Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07) and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Takatsu managed Murakami in Japan.
Murakami, who bats from the left side, is slated to be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday.
Murakami was Central League MVP in 2021 and ’22. The corner infielder was limited to 56 games this season because of an oblique injury. He struck out 64 times, but he batted .273 with 22 homers and 47 RBIs.
Murakami hit 56 homers in 2022 to break Sadaharu Oh’s record for a Japanese-born player in Nippon Professional Baseball while becoming the youngest player to earn Japan’s Triple Crown. He topped 30 homers in four straight years before an injury-interrupted season in 2023.
He has a .270 career average with 246 homers, 647 RBIs and 977 strikeouts in 892 games over eight Central League seasons, all with the Swallows.
After playing primarily at first base in 2019 and 2020, he has spent most of his time since at third.
At the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Murakami hit a game-ending double off Giovanny Gallegos that drove in Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a 6-5 semifinal win over Mexico. The following day in the championship game, Murakami hit a tying home run off Merrill Kelly in the second inning and Japan went on to beat the United States 3-2.
Under the agreement between MLB and NPB, the posting fee is 20% of the first $25 million of a major league contract, including earned bonuses and options. The percentage drops to 17.5% of the next $25 million and 15% of any amount over $50 million.
AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.
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FILE - Japan's Munetaka Murakami rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of a World Baseball Classic game against the U.S., March 21, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, file)
