Tigers Bring Back Verlander for 2026 Season

Younger brother Ben Verlander thrilled by the reunion

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Detroit Tigers have signed veteran pitcher Justin Verlander to a one-year contract for the 2026 season, marking a historic reunion for the former Cy Young Award winner and the team he spent the majority of his career with. Justin's younger brother Ben Verlander, who is also a baseball player, expressed his excitement over the news.

Why it matters

Justin Verlander is considered one of the greatest pitchers of his generation, having won multiple Cy Young Awards and a World Series championship with the Tigers. His return to Detroit is sure to energize the team's fanbase and could provide a boost to the team's playoff hopes for the upcoming season.

The details

The 43-year-old Verlander, who spent 13 seasons with the Tigers from 2005 to 2017, will be returning to the team he led to a World Series appearance in 2012. After leaving Detroit, Verlander went on to win another Cy Young Award and a World Series title with the Houston Astros.

  • Justin Verlander signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers on February 11, 2026.

The players

Justin Verlander

A veteran pitcher who spent the majority of his MLB career with the Detroit Tigers, winning a Cy Young Award and leading the team to a World Series appearance in 2012.

Ben Verlander

The younger brother of Justin Verlander, who is also a professional baseball player.

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What they’re saying

“My favorite player is back on my favorite team and that's just awesome”

— Ben Verlander (wn.com)

What’s next

The Tigers will hold a press conference on February 13th to formally introduce Justin Verlander as the team's newest pitcher.

The takeaway

The return of Justin Verlander to the Detroit Tigers is a feel-good story that is sure to energize the team's fanbase and provide a boost to their playoff hopes for the 2026 season.