Verlander returns to Detroit as one of the most decorated pitchers in MLB history. The 2011 American League Most Valuable Player with the Tigers, he won World Series titles with the Houston Astros in 2017 and 2022.
Verlander turns 43 on February 20th, but said after a rollercoaster 2025 campaign with the San Francisco Giants that he wanted to return for a 21st MLB season. He will join a powerful Tigers pitching rotation that includes reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and free agent acquisition Framber Valdez.
A nine-time All-Star, Verlander has thrown three no-hitters in his career and has the most innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins among active players. His 3,553 career strikeouts place him eighth on the all-time list.
With the Giants last season, he went 4-11 with a 3.85 earned run average with 137 strikeouts in 152 innings pitched. Over his career, he is 266-158 with an ERA of 3.32.
Verlander spent his first 13 seasons in Detroit, then enjoyed a stellar stint with the Astros from 2017-2022, although he missed the entire 2021 campaign recovering from elbow ligament surgery.
He signed a two-year, $86.6 million contract with the New York Mets after the 2022 season and made 16 starts for them before he was traded back to Houston in August of 2023.