Detroit, MI – Veteran right‑hander Justin Verlander, 43, is aiming to close out his Hall‑of‑Fame career on the mound during the Detroit Tigers’ two‑day celebration scheduled for the final weekend of the regular season. The former Cy Young Award winner announced his retirement in July and has made only one appearance this year, battling a left hip and left hamstring injury.
Injury updates and recent progress
Verlander told reporters he is “not giving up” but is being cautious to avoid a setback. He noted a recent bullpen session in Minnesota showed “really healthy velocity” and gave him optimism that he could contribute, even if only for a brief outing.
His lone start of the season came on March 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he surrendered five runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings and took the loss in a 9‑6 game.
Celebration weekend plans
The Tigers, currently 64‑75 and out of postseason contention, will host a two‑day event to honor Verlander’s 21‑year career with Detroit (2005‑17, 2026) and his stints with the Astros, Mets and Giants. While the celebration is primarily a tribute, Verlander hopes to earn a legitimate pitching appearance rather than a purely nostalgic cameo.
“If I’m healthy enough, I don’t see why I can’t pitch,” Verlander said. “I’m not trying to go out there and make a fool of myself, but I’d love to give the fans a proper goodbye on the mound.”
Career highlights
Verlander finishes his career with a 266‑159 record, a 3.33 ERA, and 3,554 strikeouts, ranking eighth all‑time and leading all active pitchers in wins. He is a three‑time Cy Young Award winner and the 2011 American League MVP, and was named a 10‑time All‑Star in July despite being inactive at the time.
The Tigers will announce the exact timing of any potential Verlander appearance during the celebration weekend, which promises fan events, memorabilia displays, and tributes from former teammates and coaches.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
