Justin Verlander announces he’s retiring at the end of the 2026 MLB season

On the heels of being named an All-Star for the 10th time in his career, Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander has announced that this season will be his last.

Verlander, 43, posted Wednesday afternoon on social media his struggles with injuries this season that have limited him to one start have “challenged me in ways I haven’t experienced before, both physically and mentally.”

During his 21 years in the majors, Verlander has won 266 games, three Cy Young awards and one MVP. He also is a two-time World Series champion – in 2017 and again in 2022 with the Houston Astros.

“I’ve always believed that as long as I could compete at the level I expect of myself, I’d keep playing,” he continued. “I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number or a date on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me it was time.”