Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander announced Wednesday that 2026 will be his final season. Verlander has not pitched since March 30 because of hip and hamstring injuries. He will attend next week's All-Star Game in Philadelphia as a Legends Pick by commissioner Rob Manfred and be honored at the game, but will not pitch.
"This season has challenged me in ways I haven't experienced before, both physically and mentally," Verlander said in a statement. "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. 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."
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) July 8, 2026
Verlander, 43, is a 10-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series champion. He was nearing a return from his hip injury last month when he suffered a hamstring strain. He hinted at retirement after the setback. "I've always said I want to play until the wheels fall off. I don't know, maybe they are falling off," Verlander said.
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