Justin Verlander Returns to Detroit Tigers on $13M Deal

Three-time Cy Young winner signs one-year contract with former team

Feb. 10, 2026 at 8:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Veteran pitcher Justin Verlander has agreed to a $13 million, one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers, the team he started his MLB career with. Verlander, who turns 43 later this month, is looking to rebound after a frustrating 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants.

Why it matters

Verlander is a future Hall of Famer who has 266 career wins, tied for 34th most in MLB history. His return to Detroit, where he spent the first 13 seasons of his career, is a feel-good story as he aims to add to his legacy with a strong 2026 campaign.

The details

Verlander's new deal with the Tigers includes $11 million in deferred payments starting in 2030. After beginning the 2025 season 0-8 with the Giants, he turned things around in the second half, posting a 2.60 ERA from July 23 through the end of the year, which ranked 4th in the National League. Verlander is looking to join the exclusive 300-win club, which he could approach with a healthy and productive 2026 season.

  • Verlander agreed to the one-year, $13 million contract with the Tigers on February 11, 2026.
  • Verlander will turn 43 years old on February 20, 2026.

The players

Justin Verlander

A three-time Cy Young Award winner and future Hall of Famer who spent the first 13 seasons of his MLB career with the Detroit Tigers.

Detroit Tigers

The MLB team that Verlander played for from 2005-2017 before being traded to the Houston Astros, where he won a World Series title in 2017.

San Francisco Giants

The team Verlander played for in 2025, when he struggled early in the season before turning things around in the second half.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“First half, quite difficult. Happy I was able to find some mechanical fixes to kind of get back in the right direction and pitch well in the second half. I think obviously you'd always rather it go well, but it's nice to be able to turn it around, especially after a few months it gets really draining and it's tiresome. You've just got to come in every day and have a positive mindset and keep working hard.”

— Justin Verlander

What’s next

Verlander will report to Tigers spring training in Lakeland, Florida, as he prepares for the 2026 MLB season.

The takeaway

Verlander's return to the Tigers represents a homecoming for the future Hall of Famer, who is looking to add to his impressive career numbers and potentially reach the 300-win milestone with a strong 2026 campaign.