Justin Verlander announces he'll retire following 2026 season, receives nod as 'Legend Pick' to 10th All-Star Game

Justin Verlander made his first six MLB All-Star teams while pitching for the Detroit Tigers. He's collected his 10th nod to the Midsummer Classic with the Tigers, too, only this time he's receiving that recognition as a "Legend Pick" by commissioner Rob Manfred.

Verlander, 43, thanked Manfred for that "incredible honor" on Wednesday while announcing that he will retire after the 2026 season, his 21st in the bigs.

"This season has challenged me in ways I haven't experienced before, both physically and mentally," Verlander wrote in a statement he posted to social media.

"I've always believed that as long as I could compete at the level I expect of myself, I'd keep playing. 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.

"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."

He added: "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."

In February, Verlander agreed to a one-year deal worth $13 million to come back to the Tigers. He spent his first 12-plus seasons in the majors with the club before making three All-Star teams and winning a pair of World Series and AL Cy Young Awards with the Houston Astros.

During his 2011 campaign with Detroit, though, Verlander took home the AL's pitching Triple Crown, leading the league in wins (24), strikeouts (250) and ERA (2.40). That season, he earned the first of his three AL Cy Young Awards and his lone AL MVP Award. Verlander helped the Tigers reach the World Series in both 2006 and 2012.

Unfortunately for the longtime right-handed ace, his return to the Motor City has been mired by injuries.

Verlander's lone appearance arrived on March 30. Back then, he gave up five runs, six hits and two walks and tallied just one strikeout in 3 2/3 innings of a 9-6 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Soon after, a left hip issue landed him on the injured list.

He was scheduled to have his first outing at the Tigers' Comerica Park in close to nine years on June 21. But in the lead-up to that start, Verlander was scratched due to a left hamstring strain that he suffered during a bullpen session in Houston.

In between his first go-around with the Tigers (2005-17) and now, he pitched for the Astros (2017-2022 and 2023-24), New York Mets (2023) and San Francisco Giants (2025).

He's registered a career 3.33 ERA over 556 starts. He's scattered three no-hitters along the way — first with the Tigers in 2007 and 2011 and then with the Astros in 2019 — and he's responsible for the eighth-most strikeouts (3,554) in MLB history.

"To every teammate, coach, player, clubhouse attendant and fan who has been part of this journey — thank you," Verlander wrote 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."