Justin Verlander has officially returned to the Detroit Tigers for the 2026 season, signing a one-year, $13 million contract to pitch for the team where he spent the first 13 years of his career. The 43-year-old right-hander aims to help the Tigers contend after being traded in 2017 and winning two World Series titles.
Key details regarding the reunion:
- Contract: A one-year, $13 million deal.
- Return Context: Verlander returns to the team that drafted him second overall in 2004, aiming for a “full-circle” moment.
- Recent Performance: He comes off a 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants where he posted a 3.83 ERA in 29 starts.
- Significance: Verlander joins a pitching staff that includes Tarik Skubal, strengthening the rotation for a team considered to be on the rise.
- Legacy: During his initial stint in Detroit (2005–2017), he won the 2006 AL Rookie of the Year, the 2011 AL MVP, and the 2011 Cy Young Award.
Verlander expressed excitement about returning to Detroit, stating he “knew [he] might someday come back” to help the team, particularly after battling a neck injury in recent years.
- Justin Verlander: Knew someday I could return to the Tigers – ESPN. Feb 12, 2026 — Feb 12, 2026, 07:33 PM ET. Open Extended Reactions. LAKELAND, Fla. — Justin Verlander’s return to the Detroit Tigers is a testame…
- Justin Verlander says he knew he might someday return to the Tigers. Feb 12, 2026 — Updated Feb. 12, 2026 7:27 p.m. ET. LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Justin Verlander’s return to the Detroit Tigers is a testament to his own…
- Justin Verlander returns to the Detroit Tigers in a historic reunion. Feb 11, 2026 — Justin Verlander is coming home. In a full-circle move, the Detroit Tigers made a historic reunion a reality by signing Verlander
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