Verlander Returns to Tigers on 1-Year Deal

Veteran pitcher signs with team where his MLB career began in 2005

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Justin Verlander, one of the most decorated starting pitchers in MLB history, has signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, the team where he began his illustrious 21-year career in 2005. The deal includes $11 million in deferred payments.

Why it matters

Verlander's return to the Tigers marks a homecoming for the future Hall of Famer, who spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the franchise before stints with the Astros, Mets, and Giants. At 42 years old, Verlander is still proving he has more left in the tank after a solid 2025 season with the Giants.

The details

Verlander, a 3-time Cy Young Award winner, 9-time All-Star, and 2-time World Series champion, is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he posted a 3.85 ERA over 29 starts for San Francisco. Despite no longer possessing the triple-digit fastball that once made him famous, Verlander remains effective with his secondary pitches, including a changeup and sweeper that held opponents to a .200 and .058 batting average, respectively.

  • Verlander began his MLB career with the Tigers in 2005.
  • Verlander signed the 1-year, $13 million deal with the Tigers on February 10, 2026.

The players

Justin Verlander

A future Hall of Fame pitcher who is one of the most decorated starting pitchers in MLB history, with 3 Cy Young Awards, 9 All-Star selections, 2 World Series titles, and over 3,500 career strikeouts.

Detroit Tigers

The MLB team where Verlander began his 21-year career in 2005 and is now returning to on a 1-year contract.

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What they’re saying

“My goal was proving that I still have it and I hope to pitch until at least age 45.”

— Justin Verlander (mlb.com)

What’s next

Verlander will look to help the Tigers return to the playoffs for the first time since 2014, when they last won the AL Central division.

The takeaway

Verlander's return to the Tigers represents a feel-good homecoming for one of the greatest pitchers of his era, as the future Hall of Famer aims to prove he still has more left in the tank at age 42 and potentially play until he's 45.