Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season. The 43-year-old pitcher, a future Hall of Famer, made the decision after dealing with hip and hamstring injuries this year.
Verlander shared his plans in a statement posted to social media. "I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number, or a date on the calendar," he wrote. "I wanted the game to tell me when it was time. Over the last several months, I've realized that time has come."
He will attend the All-Star Game next Tuesday in Philadelphia as a Legend Pick selected by Commissioner Rob Manfred. Verlander will not pitch in the game but will be honored there before returning to Detroit for the remainder of his final season.
The announcement followed a challenging year in which Verlander has been sidelined since March 30. He expressed commitment to helping his team despite the injuries. "I'm fully committed to giving my team everything I have for the rest of this season," Verlander said.