Justin Verlander, the 43-year-old Major League Baseball pitcher and three-time Cy Young Award winner, has announced he will retire following the 2026 season. The veteran right-hander, who currently plays for the Detroit Tigers, made the announcement on July 8, shortly after being named a Legend Pick for the American League All-Star roster.
Verlander’s decision to retire comes after a 21-season career in which he has been recognized as one of the sport’s premier pitchers. Drafted by the Tigers, he plans to conclude his career with the team where he began. “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 said on social media. Despite announcing his impending retirement, he emphasized his commitment to contributing fully to Detroit for the remainder of the season.
The pitcher, the oldest active player in the majors, signed a $13 million, one-year contract with Detroit this past February. However, his 2026 season has been limited by injuries. Verlander pitched in only one game this year, allowing five runs over 3⅔ innings in a March 30 loss to Arizona. He spent time on the injured list with hip inflammation and suffered a hamstring injury during a bullpen session in June. These setbacks have influenced his decision to retire, with Verlander noting that he did not want to step away due to arbitrary milestones but rather allow the game to dictate the timing.
Verlander’s achievements include a career record of 266-159 with a 3.33 ERA and 3,554 strikeouts over 556 starts. He earned the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2006, and in 2011, he won both the AL MVP and his first Cy Young Award. He played a pivotal role in leading Detroit to the World Series in 2006 and 2012, along with multiple division titles. After being traded to the Houston Astros in 2017, he added to his legacy by winning two World Series championships with Houston in 2017 and 2022, as well as securing two additional Cy Young Awards in 2019 and 2022.
Verlander is scheduled to make what would be his first home start with the Tigers since 2017 at Comerica Park later this month. Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Verlander will attend the All-Star Game in Philadelphia next week for special recognition, although he will not play.
Throughout his career, Verlander has been noted for his competitiveness and durability, and he reflected positively on his experiences. “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,” he said.
Alongside Verlander, Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies was also named a Legend Pick for the 2026 All-Star Game, following in the footsteps of past honorees such as Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, and Clayton Kershaw.