Justin Verlander was officially welcomed back to the Detroit Tigers organization on February 13, 2026.
Verlander stated his primary goal is to help the Tigers win a World Series championship, something he regrets not achieving during his previous tenure. "The one thing obviously I would like to accomplish in Detroit that I had a couple shots at that I really regret not achieving was a World Series title," he said during a press conference.
He noted he contacted Tigers management immediately after last season ended to express his desire to return. "As soon as the season was over I called Scott, called Chris, called AJ and let my intentions be known," Verlander explained. He spent 12 years with Detroit from 2006-2017 before being traded to the Houston Astros.
Verlander expressed confidence in the current Tigers roster, stating this pitching staff has the potential to be one of the better ones he has been part of. He also acknowledged evolving his approach to being a teammate, actively working on communication and making himself available to younger players. "That perspective shift has really changed things and actively proactively going to talk to guys," he mentioned.
During the press conference, Verlander shared that his seven-year-old daughter wore a Mets jersey to school and shows no nostalgia for Detroit, highlighting the generational difference in perspective. He added that he has been saying since age 22 that he wanted to pitch until age 45.
Verlander proved to himself last season that he could maintain health and pitch every five days in a regular routine, setting the stage for his return to Detroit where he aims to complete unfinished business.