Justin Verlander is returning to the Detroit Tigers after more than a decade, signing a one-year, $13 million contract announced Tuesday. The veteran pitcher, who will turn 43 on February 20, is coming back to the team where his major league career began and where he first earned acclaim.
Verlander’s Career Journey and Achievements
Justin Verlander spent his first 13 seasons in Detroit, earning his first Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year honors in 2006. He also secured the Cy Young Award and was named league MVP in 2011 while with the Tigers. After the 2017 season, Detroit traded him to the Houston Astros, where he played for five seasons before missing the entire 2021 campaign recovering from Tommy John surgery.
In 2023, Verlander joined the New York Mets briefly before being traded back to the Astros at the trade deadline. He then signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants in January 2025, recording a 3.85 ERA over 29 starts with a win-loss record of 4-11.
Detroit Tigers’ Current Pitching Lineup
Alongside Verlander, the Tigers’ rotation features promising arms such as two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal and starter Jack Flaherty. This signing reinforces Detroit’s pitching staff as they plan for the upcoming MLB season.
Free-agent pitcher Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a one-year, $13 million contract. It includes $11 million in deferrals.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 10, 2026
Right-hander Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a one-year contract. Verlander, 43 next week, returns to the team with which he spent his first 13 seasons and whose hat he'll wear in the Hall of Fame.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 10, 2026
