Future Hall-of-Fame pitcher Justin Verlander is headed back to where it all began.
The 42-year-old Verlander officially agreed to return to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, signing a one-year deal for the 2026 season. It will be worth $13 million and will include $11 million in salary deferrals, according to multiple reports, with payments beginning in 2030.
The Tigers have signed three-time American League Cy Young and nine-time All-Star RHP Justin Verlander to a one-year contract for the 2026 season.
Welcome home, JV!
Verlander, who’ll turn 43 later this month, began his career with the Tigers organization after being selected second overall in 2004. His first tenure with the franchise spanned 13 seasons from 2005-17, featuring six All-Star selections, one AL MVP and Cy Young Award each (both coming in 2011) and another three Cy Young finalist placements. He also won AL Rookie of the Year during his first full season in ’06.
The Tigers, who’ve also added Framber Valdez and Drew Anderson to their rotation this winter, are now flush with starting pitching depth behind reigning two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
Based on Skubal’s reaction to the news of Verlander’s return, it’s fair to assume the game’s best starting pitcher is excited about the three-time Cy Young winner’s homecoming.
Now, the veteran right-hander returns after splitting the last eight seasons between Houston, the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants.
After injuries derailed Verlander in 2024, he returned to form last season, posting a serviceable 3.85 ERA with 137 strikeouts and 52 walks across 29 starts — the most he’s made since ’19. In the end, he accounted for 2.2 fWAR, matching Robbie Ray — who made three extra starts — for second-highest among Giants pitchers, trailing only Logan Webb (5.5).
Verlander, who ranks second in strikeouts (2,373) and third in fWAR (57.9) all-time in Tigers franchise history, will have an opportunity to break camp alongside Skubal, Valdez, Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize in Detroit’s rotation this spring if he stays healthy.