Tigers' Justin Verlander to retire after 2026 season

Justin Verlander, who has amassed three Cy Young Awards, two World Series championships and an MVP award in what undoubtedly is a Hall of Fame career, on Wednesday announced that he'll retire at the end of the 2026 season.

The 43-year-old Verlander, who will make his 10th All-Star Game appearance next week after being named a Legend Pick by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on Wednesday, has 266 regular-season wins and 3,554 strikeouts in his 21 MLB seasons.

"I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number, or a date on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me when it was time," Verlander said in a lengthy statement posted to his social-media accounts. "Over the last several months, I've realized that time has come.

"While I'm fully committed to giving my team everything I have for the rest of this season, I've decided this will be my last. It's fitting that I get to finish where it all started -- with the Detroit Tigers, the organization that drafted me and gave me my first opportunity."

Verlander, the oldest player in Major League Baseball, made just one start this season before landing on the IL in April with left hip inflammation. He was slated to return on June 21 but was pushed back after suffering a hamstring strain in a bullpen session leading up to it.

"This season has challenged me in ways I haven't experienced before, both physically and mentally," Verlander said in his statement. "I've always believed that as long as I could compete at the level I expect of myself, I'd keep playing."

The No. 2 overall pick out of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2004, Verlander won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in his age-23 season in 2006 and followed with eight consecutive years of at least 200 innings. In the midst of that, Verlander put up his best season in 2011, going 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA and 250 strikeouts in 251 innings, marking the 24th time a pitcher has won an MVP.

After spending his first 12 1/2 seasons with the Tigers, Verlander was acquired by the Houston Astros in the summer of 2017, serving as the ace that put a star-studded offense over the top to eventually win the World Series -- a championship later tainted by the sign-stealing controversy.

Verlander won his second Cy Young Award in 2019, edging out Astros teammate Gerrit Cole, then turned in arguably his most impressive feat in 2022 -- claiming his third Cy Young in the wake of Tommy John surgery at the age of 39, while going 18-4 with a major league-best 1.75 ERA for another championship Astros team.

Verlander's production began to fall off thereafter, while pitching for the New York Mets, going back to the Astros, signing with the San Francisco Giants and, heading into 2026, rejoining the Tigers. Injuries to his shoulder, neck, teres major, chest region and hip continually sent him to the injured list.

A hard-nosed competitor with an electric fastball and an indomitable will, Verlander ranks 24th all time with 82.3 Baseball-Reference wins above replacement despite playing in an era when starting pitchers are far more restricted than they used to be. He has a career 3.33 ERA and his 3,554 strikeouts -- over 3,571 1/3 innings -- rank eighth all-time.

"Baseball has given me more than I could have imagined," Verlander said in his statement. "It taught me discipline, resilience, and the value of continuing to adapt and evolve. I've been fortunate to play with and against incredible players, for outstanding organizations, and compete in-front of fans who deeply appreciate the game."

The Legend Pick is an additional selection to the All-Star Game given to Manfred, who also used the designation to add Bryce Harper of the hometown Philadelphia Phillies to this year's National League roster. Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera were designated as such in 2022, and Clayton Kershaw was given the honor in 2025. All will someday be enshrined in Cooperstown.

Verlander will eventually join them, too.

"To every teammate, coach, player, clubhouse attendant and fan who has been part of this journey -- thank you," Verlander said in his statement. "It's been a privilege to share the field with you. To my family, especially my wife Kate, thank you for standing beside me through every season, every rehab, and every high and low. I couldn't have done this without you.

"It's time for the next chapter. But first, I'm excited to finish this season the only way I know how -- with everything I've got."br/]