Justin Verlander to retire after 2026 season

sportsJul 8, 202624312

Justin Verlander announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season and was named to his 10th All-Star team as a "Legend Pick" by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. After 21 major league seasons, the 43-year-old wrote that this year has tested him "physically and mentally" and that he will finish the season giving his team everything he has. Verlander, the 2011 American League MVP, a two-time World Series champion and three-time Cy Young Award winner, signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Detroit Tigers this winter to return to the club that drafted him. This season he has made one start for Detroit before landing on the 60-day injured list with a left hip injury; a planned mid-June return was delayed by a left hamstring setback. The Tigers say Verlander is "playing catch and completing rehab daily," but he is not yet back to throwing off a mound. Verlander finishes his career 266-159 with a 3.33 ERA and will retire where he began his big-league career.

The Athletic

@theathletic.com

Detroit Tigers starter Justin Verlander announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season.

653h ago

The Athletic22

“It’s fitting that I get to finish where it all started — with the Detroit Tigers, the organization that drafted me and gave me my first opportunity,” Verlander wrote in the statement. nyti.ms/4gseSVV

jen ramos-eisen

@jenramose.online

this year's annual Clayton Kershaw Memorial Participation Trophy goes to Justin Verlander

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 8, 2026

DETROIT TIGERS PITCHER JUSTIN VERLANDER NAMED TO
2026 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM AS ‘LEGEND PICK’

2011 AL MVP, Three-Time Cy Young Award Winner and Two-Time
World Series Champion to Make His 10th Appearance at the Midsummer Classic

434h ago

Quoting this

Not Larry4

This is insane when you consider that Munetaka Murakami is a legend and will be back before the All Star break.

Sarah Langs

@slangsonsports.bsky.social

All 103.0+ mph pitches as SP under pitch tracking (2008 including playoffs): Jacob Misiorowski: 80 Jordan Hicks: 2 (as opener) Justin Verlander: 1

2123h ago

Sam Dykstra

@samdykstramilb.bsky.social

Justin Verlander, who was named a Legend Pick for the All-Star Game today, announces he'll retire at the end of the 2026 season.

174h ago

Quoting this

Ben K.4

He wasn't going to get there anyway, but this puts an end to our hopes of seeing a 300 game winner any time soon. I hate to say "again in our lifetimes" but any time soon. bsky.app/profile/samd...

Chicken Puppet 🏳️‍⚧️3

Last season a player older than me is in the league unless Rich Hill makes another comeback

Jesus Zoidberg: Fix Your Hearts or Die3

Will this be the only time Verlander is in Philly this season?

The Dishwasher (a baseball blog)

@thedishwasher.bsky.social

Thank you Justin Verlander for retiring before Mike Elias could give a 1 year 20 million dollar contract to be the Orioles big pitching addition in the upcoming offseason

183h ago

Breathin' Orange Fire

@orangefire.bsky.social

I think we all still literally love Justin Verlander. And we all know why.

Justin Verlander holds the Commissioner's Trophy over his head after the Astros won the 2017 World Series

114h ago

MLB

@mlbbot.bsky.social

Justin Verlander announces he will retire at the end of the 2026 season. The 3-time Cy Young Award winner has 266 career wins and is 8th on the all-time strikeout list with 3,554 over 21 seasons. Named today to his 10th All-Star team, Verlander was the 2006 AL Rookie of the Year and the 2011 MVP.

Justin Verlander to retire at end of season
Pictured: Justin Verlander smiles and poses for a photo in a white Tigers uniform and dark blue Tigers cap.

104h ago

Roger Cormier

@themetsnewsletter.com

Do you guys think Justin Verlander will wear a Met cap on his Hall of Fame plaque?

133h ago

Dylan

@dylmdav.bsky.social

Justin Verlander probably one of my favorite players ever. I'll allow him to have his make a wish retirement all star spot while thinking the Kershaw one last year was silly!

114h ago

Melissa Lockard

@melissalockard.bsky.social

With Justin Verlander set to retire at season's end, does that make 300 wins the least-attainable MLB milestone for any current player out there? Perhaps only Rickey's stolen base record is less attainable.

113h ago

"Professor" Chris Mitchell1

Aaron's career total bases (6856) is on the same level, if not even more untouchable. Pujols could've hit 150 more home runs in his career, with no other stats changed, and that would still fall short of Aaron's record. Good luck to any player today trying to reach the 5k mark, let alone that.

Jacob Kramer-Duffield1

I mean I also think Cal is pretty safe at 2632 given that Matt Olson would need another decade-plus to get there

1billybeaner.bsky.social1

Rickey’s run total is probably safe, besides Bonds, no modern player has been within 300 of it. Active leader is Freeman and he is 850 away.

Telcochris1

Nolan Ryan strikeouts pretty much out of reach.

kyle

@kylebutoverhere.bsky.social

How I feel every time Justin Verlander is in the news

The tweet
You: "in only 35, I have my whole life ahead of me. "

Spirts broadcaster: "Here comes the oldest player in the league. He's 32. A miracle."

113h ago

Pinstripe Alley

@pinstripealley.bsky.social

Justin Verlander announces he will retire at the end of 2026, which means he might finally be done with his 2012 ALCS midgame interview

94h ago

Jason Beck

@jasonbeck.bsky.social

Justin Verlander added to American League All-Star roster as a “Legend Pick” by commissioner. He won’t be active but will take part in festivities. It’s his 10th All-Star selection and first as a Tiger since 2013. He’s the 2nd Tiger to receive such an honor, joining Miguel Cabrera in 2022.

94h ago

keelin

@keelin12ft.bsky.social

Respect to Justin Verlander for recognizing it’s time and stating as much in a way that pays tribute to everyone that’s supported and/or cheered for him along the way.

103h ago

TSN

@tsnofficial.bsky.social

Justin Verlander announces that he intends to retire at the end of the 2026 season, ending his 21-year career in the MLB. Verlander is a 3-time Cy Young winner and was named to his 10th All-Star team this season as a Legend Pick.

73h ago

3 sources

fptrack.comJustin Verlander Announces Retirement After 2026 Season espn.comTigers' Justin Verlander to retire after 2026 season sports.yahoo.comJustin Verlander announces he'll retire following 2026 season, receives nod as 'Legend Pick' to 10th All-Star Game

Alexia Putellas signs with London City Lionessessports Shohei Ohtani hits 300th career home runsports Justin Verlander to retire after 2026 seasonsports Marta Kostyuk reaches Wimbledon semifinals, beats Jasmine Paolinisports

Justin Verlander to retire after 2026 season

Related