Justin Verlander: Inside 42-year-old’s return to Detroit Tigers

Baseball’s long, winding storylines have a way of circling back to where they began. On Tuesday, one of the game’s most iconic arms completed that full-circle moment, as Justin Verlander agreed to a one-year, $13 million contract to return to the Detroit Tigers, the franchise that launched his Hall of Fame–bound career.

Now 42 and approaching his 43rd birthday on February 20, Verlander is set to begin what will be his 21st Major League season, once again wearing the uniform he made famous during his dominant prime.

A Reunion Years in the Making

Verlander spent the first 13 seasons of his career in Detroit, establishing himself as one of the most overpowering pitchers of his era. From his rookie year through his final Tigers stint, he became synonymous with durability, velocity, and late-inning dominance.

Over two decades later, he returns not as a rising phenom—but as one of the most accomplished pitchers the sport has ever seen.

Among active pitchers, Verlander leads in innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins, a testament to both his longevity and effectiveness. His 266 career victories place him tied for 34th all-time, while his 3,553 strikeouts rank eighth in MLB history, sitting just behind Don Sutton.

Still Chasing History

Despite his age, Verlander is far from finished.

Last season with the San Francisco Giants, he endured one of the most unusual campaigns of his career—marked by early frustration and a late resurgence. He opened the year winless in his first 16 starts, the longest such stretch by any pitcher in Giants history. Yet even during that stretch, Verlander remained competitive, keeping his team in games with command and experience rather than pure power.

Then came the turnaround.

Over his final seven starts, Verlander allowed just nine earned runs across more than 41 innings, posting a sparkling 1.96 ERA down the stretch. He finished the season with a 4–11 record, a 3.85 ERA, and 137 strikeouts in 152 innings, while making his 555th career start, ranking 27th all-time.

Those numbers convinced both Verlander and the Tigers that there was still meaningful baseball left in his arm.

A Loaded Tigers Rotation

Verlander now steps into a Detroit rotation that blends experience with elite modern dominance. Headlining the staff is Tarik Skubal, the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, alongside newly acquired left-hander Framber Valdez, a former teammate of Verlander’s during his championship years with the Houston Astros.

The reunion also adds leadership to a young Tigers clubhouse eager to contend.

For Detroit, this signing is as much about presence as performance—an acknowledgment of the culture Verlander helped build and the standard he continues to embody.

A Career Defined by Reinvention

After his initial Tigers run, Verlander reinvented himself following a 2017 trade to Houston, capturing Cy Young Awards in 2019 and 2022, and winning two World Series titles with the Astros.

Following his 2022 Cy Young season, he signed a massive deal with the New York Mets, before eventually returning to Houston in 2023. Each stop added a new chapter to a résumé already rich with accolades.

Now, Detroit becomes the final—or perhaps not final—chapter.

As pitchers and catchers report to spring training this week, one thing is clear: Justin Verlander’s story isn’t done being written. It’s simply returned home.

FAQ

How old is Justin Verlander now?
Verlander turns 43 on February 20.

How much is his contract with the Tigers worth?
He signed a one-year deal worth $13 million.

How many Cy Young Awards has Verlander won?
He has won three Cy Young Awards.

How many career wins does Justin Verlander have?
He has 266 career victories.

Has Verlander won the World Series?
Yes, he has won two World Series titles with the Houston Astros.

When do Tigers spring training workouts begin?
Pitchers and catchers report on Wednesday.