Tigers Bring Back Veteran Pitcher Justin Verlander on $13M Deal

The three-time Cy Young winner returns to the team where he spent the first 13 years of his MLB career.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Detroit Tigers have signed 43-year-old pitcher Justin Verlander to a one-year, $13 million contract, bringing the three-time Cy Young Award winner back to the team where he spent the first 13 years of his MLB career. Verlander, who has the most innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins among active players, is looking to continue his career after a 4-11 season with the San Francisco Giants in 2025.

Why it matters

Verlander's return to the Tigers represents a homecoming for the veteran pitcher, who is still capable of delivering quality starts despite his advanced age. His addition to a rotation that includes Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez gives the Tigers a formidable pitching staff as they aim to contend in the American League.

The details

Verlander, who will turn 43 in just over a week, signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Tigers. He spent the first 13 years of his MLB career with the Tigers before being traded to the Houston Astros in 2017, where he won two World Series titles. In 2025, Verlander went 4-11 with a 3.85 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 152 innings pitched for the Giants.

  • Verlander signed the one-year, $13 million deal with the Tigers on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
  • Verlander will turn 43 years old in just over a week.

The players

Justin Verlander

A 43-year-old pitcher who has spent 20 seasons in the major leagues, with the majority of his career coming with the Detroit Tigers. Verlander is a three-time Cy Young Award winner and has the most innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins among active players.

Tarik Skubal

A two-time Cy Young Award winner who is part of the Tigers' high-caliber rotation alongside Verlander and Framber Valdez.

Framber Valdez

A blockbuster signing who will join Verlander and Skubal in the Tigers' starting rotation for the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“At this point in my career, if something goes really wrong, I'm not going to rehab a surgery or anything. I always understand that it could be it, but I think physically, I've shown some good health this season.”

— Justin Verlander (Newsweek)

“As I've been on the mound, things have started to get better and better. To me, that's a good sign with all the work I put in after my nerve injury last year, which notoriously takes a long time. The ball's rolling in the right direction, and I would like to continue pitching. You never know. It's a fickle game too, but I think the stuff is still there.”

— Justin Verlander (Newsweek)

What’s next

The Tigers will look to integrate Verlander into their starting rotation and see if the veteran pitcher can continue to be effective at the age of 43.

The takeaway

Verlander's return to the Tigers represents a homecoming for the future Hall of Famer, who is still capable of contributing at a high level despite his advanced age. His addition to an already strong pitching staff gives the Tigers a formidable rotation as they aim to contend in the American League.