Justin Verlander is back in Detroit

Great news in the world of baseball.

Justin Verlander has chosen to return to his roots. He has agreed to a one-year contract ($13 million with deferred money) with the Detroit Tigers for the 2026 season—and his 43rd season.

Right-hander Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a one-year contract. Verlander, who turns 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

Of course, we know that he spent the first 13 seasons of his glorious Major League career with the Tigers. That's the cap he should wear on the day he enters the Hall of Fame, in my opinion.

And now, he has a chance to finish his playing career in Detroit.

Obviously, his career started well in Michigan, but it was his move to Houston that energized the end of his career. But to see him back with the Tigers would be great.

So he decided to return to Houston after leaving for New York and to return to Detroit after a year in San Francisco. He's not afraid to return to cities that are important to him.

He will be reunited with A.J. Hinch, his former manager in Houston with whom he won a World Series. He will also be reunited with Framber Valdez, with whom he pitched for the Astros for years.

Tarik Skubal will also be able to learn from Verlander. And with guys like Skubal, Valdez, and Jack Flaherty in the rotation, Verlander won't need to be the driving force among the starting pitchers.

The Detroit Tigers' vaunted starting rotation:
Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Reese Olson.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 10, 2026

Details to follow…

This content was created with the help of AI.