Future Hall of Fame pitcher Justin Verlander announced on social media that the current season will be his last in Major League Baseball. The decision comes as the 43-year-old has been sidelined for most of the season with injuries while with the Detroit Tigers.
Verlander stated that the game has "told me when it was time" to retire, emphasizing that he never wanted to stop playing due to a milestone or calendar date but rather when he could no longer compete at his expected level. He acknowledged that this season has presented significant physical and mental challenges.
"While I’m fully committed to giving my team everything I have for the rest of this season, I’ve decided this will be my last," Verlander wrote in his statement. "It’s fitting that I get to finish where it all started – with the Detroit Tigers, the organization that drafted me and gave me my first opportunity."
Verlander has pitched in only one game this year, experiencing a difficult outing before being placed on the injured list with a hip injury. He later suffered a hamstring injury, which prevented a planned return. He is not currently close to being activated from the injured list but expressed a hope to return to his team before the season concludes.
Reflecting on his career, Verlander expressed gratitude for the opportunities baseball has provided, citing lessons in discipline, resilience, and adaptation. He thanked teammates, coaches, opponents, club staff, and fans for their support throughout his journey. He also extended special thanks to his family, particularly his wife Kate, for their unwavering support.
Verlander's career began with the Detroit Tigers, who drafted him and provided his initial opportunity in the league. He is widely considered a future inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame, with numerous accolades and a storied career spanning over two decades.