Justin Verlander Reflects on Return to Detroit Tigers

Veteran pitcher excited to 'relive' and 'embrace' his time with the team and city.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:55pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery, with sharp planes of navy, crimson, and gold creating a dynamic, multi-angled representation of the sport.Verlander's return to Detroit sparks a cubist reimagining of the veteran pitcher's iconic delivery.Today in Detroit

Ahead of his home debut with the Detroit Tigers, 43-year-old pitcher Justin Verlander spoke to the media about his excitement to return to the city and team he played for from 2005 to 2017. Verlander acknowledged the changes he's seen in Detroit since he last played for the Tigers, including more players living downtown, and expressed his desire to 'relive' and 'embrace' the memories of his time there.

Why it matters

Verlander's return to the Tigers is a feel-good story for the franchise and its fans, as the future Hall of Famer looks to help the team contend for a World Series title in the twilight of his career. His comments about the growth and evolution of Detroit also speak to the city's ongoing revitalization efforts.

The details

In his first start of the season against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Verlander struggled, allowing 5 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings. However, he is set to make his home debut against the St. Louis Cardinals, and is eager to 'continue to leave a mark' on the city and organization.

  • Verlander pitched against the Diamondbacks on Opening Day, April 3, 2026.
  • Verlander will make his home debut against the Cardinals on April 4, 2026.

The players

Justin Verlander

A 43-year-old pitcher who is returning to the Detroit Tigers, the team he played for from 2005 to 2017.

Corbin Carroll

A player for the Arizona Diamondbacks who hit a home run off of Verlander in his first start of the season.

Framber Valdez

The starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers in their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Michael McGreevy

The starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals in their game against the Detroit Tigers.

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What they’re saying

“More than anything, just being a part of this city is quite frankly cool to come back to. It was already changing when I left, but to see how it has grown now (We got guys living downtown, which was not the way it was early in my career), there are just so many memories here. I grew up as a kid when I came here, and I am just a totally different person now with a family. 43 years old, a lot of perspective. I'm excited to come back and relive it, and kind of embrace the time that I had here and look back fondly, and hopefully continue to leave a mark.”

— Justin Verlander, Pitcher, Detroit Tigers

What’s next

Game 1 of the series between the Tigers and Cardinals starts at 1:10 ET on April 4, 2026.

The takeaway

Verlander's return to Detroit represents a homecoming for the veteran pitcher, who is eager to reconnect with the city and team that helped shape his Hall of Fame career. His comments about the growth and evolution of Detroit suggest the city holds a special place in his heart, and his desire to 'continue to leave a mark' indicates he still has unfinished business with the Tigers organization.