Justin Verlander to retire after 2026 season

sportsJul 8, 202628380

Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season, saying in a social media post that recent physical and mental challenges signaled it was time to stop. Verlander, 43, is closing a 21-season major league career that includes the 2011 American League MVP award, three Cy Young Awards and two World Series titles, and he was named to his 10th All-Star team this week as a "Legend Pick" by commissioner Rob Manfred. This winter Verlander signed a one-year, $13 million deal to return to Detroit, the club that drafted him; he made two spot starts for the Tigers in 2005, joined their rotation in 2006 and was traded to the Houston Astros in late August 2017. This season Verlander has made only one start before landing on the 60-day injured list with a left hip injury, and a mid-June left hamstring setback delayed a planned return. The Tigers’ latest medical update says Verlander is "playing catch and completing rehab daily," but he is not yet back to throwing off a mound. Verlander finishes this chapter with a 266-159 career record and a 3.33 ERA, and he wrote that he intends to give his team everything he has for the rest of the season while capping his Hall of Fame-caliber career where it began.

The Athletic

@theathletic.com

Detroit Tigers starter Justin Verlander announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season.

8045d ago

The Athletic26

“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 wrote in the statement. nyti.ms/4gseSVV

sonofmustangford.bsky.social1

His arm retired 4 years ago.

jen ramos-eisen

@jenramose.online

this year's annual Clayton Kershaw Memorial Participation Trophy goes to Justin Verlander

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 8, 2026

DETROIT TIGERS PITCHER JUSTIN VERLANDER NAMED TO
2026 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM AS ‘LEGEND PICK’

2011 AL MVP, Three-Time Cy Young Award Winner and Two-Time
World Series Champion to Make His 10th Appearance at the Midsummer Classic

4745d ago

Quoting this

Not Larry4

This is insane when you consider that Munetaka Murakami is a legend and will be back before the All Star break.

The Dishwasher (a baseball blog)

@thedishwasher.bsky.social

Thank you Justin Verlander for retiring before Mike Elias could give a 1 year 20 million dollar contract to be the Orioles big pitching addition in the upcoming offseason

2445d ago

Sarah Langs

@slangsonsports.bsky.social

All 103.0+ mph pitches as SP under pitch tracking (2008 including playoffs): Jacob Misiorowski: 80 Jordan Hicks: 2 (as opener) Justin Verlander: 1

2146d ago

Chandler Rome

@chandlerrome.bsky.social

Wrote a lot about Justin Verlander. This is my favorite — about his days at Old Dominion, where he rolled up to campus in a black Mustang with the vanity plate "BRNGNIT 94" “But, I was bringing it, so I was like ‘f— it," Verlander said. Free to read - www.nytimes.com/athletic/556...

1845d ago

Sam Dykstra

@samdykstramilb.bsky.social

Justin Verlander, who was named a Legend Pick for the All-Star Game today, announces he'll retire at the end of the 2026 season.

1745d ago

Quoting this

Ben K.4

He wasn't going to get there anyway, but this puts an end to our hopes of seeing a 300 game winner any time soon. I hate to say "again in our lifetimes" but any time soon. bsky.app/profile/samd...

Chicken Puppet 🏳️‍⚧️3

Last season a player older than me is in the league unless Rich Hill makes another comeback

Jesus Zoidberg: Fix Your Hearts or Die3

Will this be the only time Verlander is in Philly this season?

Jason Beck

@jasonbeck.bsky.social

Justin Verlander added to American League All-Star roster as a “Legend Pick” by commissioner. He won’t be active but will take part in festivities. It’s his 10th All-Star selection and first as a Tiger since 2013. He’s the 2nd Tiger to receive such an honor, joining Miguel Cabrera in 2022.

1345d ago

MLB

@mlbbot.bsky.social

Justin Verlander announces he will retire at the end of the 2026 season. The 3-time Cy Young Award winner has 266 career wins and is 8th on the all-time strikeout list with 3,554 over 21 seasons. Named today to his 10th All-Star team, Verlander was the 2006 AL Rookie of the Year and the 2011 MVP.

Justin Verlander to retire at end of season
Pictured: Justin Verlander smiles and poses for a photo in a white Tigers uniform and dark blue Tigers cap.

1145d ago

Breathin' Orange Fire

@orangefire.bsky.social

I think we all still literally love Justin Verlander. And we all know why.

Justin Verlander holds the Commissioner's Trophy over his head after the Astros won the 2017 World Series

1145d ago

Roger Cormier

@themetsnewsletter.com

Do you guys think Justin Verlander will wear a Met cap on his Hall of Fame plaque?

1445d ago

Dylan

@dylmdav.bsky.social

Justin Verlander probably one of my favorite players ever. I'll allow him to have his make a wish retirement all star spot while thinking the Kershaw one last year was silly!

1145d ago

Pinstripe Alley

@pinstripealley.bsky.social

Justin Verlander announces he will retire at the end of 2026, which means he might finally be done with his 2012 ALCS midgame interview

1045d ago

Chris McCosky

@cmccosky.bsky.social

“It’s time for the next chapter. But first, I’m excited to finish the season the only way I know how, with everything I’ve got.” --Justin Verlander upon announcing he will retire after this season

945d ago

Melissa Lockard

@melissalockard.bsky.social

With Justin Verlander set to retire at season's end, does that make 300 wins the least-attainable MLB milestone for any current player out there? Perhaps only Rickey's stolen base record is less attainable.

1145d ago

"Professor" Chris Mitchell1

Aaron's career total bases (6856) is on the same level, if not even more untouchable. Pujols could've hit 150 more home runs in his career, with no other stats changed, and that would still fall short of Aaron's record. Good luck to any player today trying to reach the 5k mark, let alone that.