Feb 11, 2026
3 min read
Three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander is returning to the team with which he began his career, signing a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers.
Three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander is returning to the team where he started his career, signing a one-year, $13 million contract with the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday.
Verlander, who turns 43 on Feb. 20, spent his first 13 seasons with the Tigers.
“Back to where it all began,” he tweeted on Tuesday evening.
From where it all started pic.twitter.com/zQfMJeKtg9
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) February 11, 2026
Verlander is perhaps the best pitcher of his generation, with the most innings pitched, strikeouts and wins among active players.
Verlander's 266 hits are tied with Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey for 34th on baseball's career list, while his 3,553 career hits are eighth, behind Don Sutton's 3,574.
He now joins a Tigers rotation that includes two-time American League Cy Young outfielder Tariq Scuball, free agent acquisition Framber Valdez, Verlander's teammate with the Houston Astros in 2017-18, and Jack Flaherty.
Verlander's deal with Detroit includes $11 million in deferred payments through 2030. The Tigers' pitchers and catchers are scheduled for their first spring training sessions on Wednesday.
The nine-time All-Star said he hopes to return to the majors in 2025 for a 21st season after his ups and downs with the San Francisco Giants.
The right-hander signed a $15 million, one-year contract in January, made a team-record 16 starts before recording a win and then finished it with career start No. 555, the 27th.
Verlander went 0-8 in his first 16 starts, but allowed just nine earned runs (1.96 ERA) in 41/3 innings in his final seven starts.Overall, he posted a 4-11 record with 137 strikeouts and a 3.85 ERA in 152 innings.
After a dominant 13-year hiatus with the Tigers, Verlander found a second lease on life after joining the Astros in 2017.He won Cy Young Awards in 2019 and 2022, and after the latter signed a two-year, $86.6 million contract with the New York Mets.Verlander made 16 starts for the Mets before being traded back to the Astros in August 2023.
For his career, Verlander is 266-158 with a 3.32 ERA in 3,567⅔ innings.He struck out 3,553 batters, walked 1,004 and won two World Series with the Astros.
The first summer training session for the tigers and catchers is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
Valdez's three-year, $115 million contract with Detroit ended last week after both sides agreed to terms.He spent the last eight seasons with the Houston Astros.
Valdes can opt out after the 2027 season, and the deal includes a mutual option for $40 million with a $5 million buyout for 2029.He will make $17.5 million this year, $37.5 million in 2027 and $35 million in 2028.
A two-time All-Star and 2022 World Series champion, Valdez will receive a $20 million signing bonus, with payments beginning in 2030.His salary from 2027-29 will increase by $2 million each year for winning the Cy Young Award, $1 million for finishing second and $500 for injury.The MVP can also raise $2 million for winning the World Series and $1 million for winning the ALCS MVP.
Journalist Jeff Passan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
