MLB great Justin Verlander to call it a career following 2026 season

[p]The 43-year-old [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/detroit-tigers/0QIlt8pi/"]Detroit Tigers[/a] hurler announced his decision on Wednesday in a social media post.[/p][p][b]"This season has challenged me in ways I haven't experienced before, both physically and mentally,"[/b] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/verlander-justin/UHlbEjWC/"]Verlander[/a], a two-time World Series champion with the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/houston-astros/lfZXonNq/"]Houston Astros[/a], said in a statement posted on X.[/p][p][b]"I've always believed that as long as I could compete at the level I expect of myself, I'd keep playing. I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number or a date on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me when it was time.[/b][/p][p][b]"Over the last several months, I've realized that time has come," [/b]the future Hall of Famer added.[/p][embed guid="67228850-0fa7-49f4-93dd-cddd3ed0b966" url="https://x.com/JustinVerlander/status/2074900899768521215?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Verlander returned to the Tigers this season on a one-year, $13 million contract.[/p][p]He launched his MLB career with the Tigers in 2005 and spent his first 13 seasons in Detroit before a stellar stint with the Astros that included World Series titles in 2017 and 2022.[/p][p]Speaking before the Tigers' game against the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/athletics/xIYDcQid/"]Athletics[/a] on Wednesday, a relaxed-looking Verlander said injury issues that have limited him to one start this season made the decision[b] "kind of easy"[/b].[/p][p][b]"Here I am at the All-Star break and haven't been able to pitch except for one start," [/b]said Verlander, who was idled by a hip injury and just when he seemed set to return sidelined by a hamstring strain.[/p][p][b]"My body's just sending signals that it's just not quite capable," [/b]he said.[/p][p][b]"My arm feels great,"[/b] added Verlander, who missed all of the 2021 season after Tommy John elbow surgery in September of 2020.[/p][p][b]"I think it's pretty ironic that my arm's still doing what it's supposed to do. This thing's served me well for a long time now and that's not what's failing me."[/b][/p][p]Verlander said in his X statement he was [b]"fully committed"[/b] to giving the Tigers his best for the rest of the season.[/p][p][b]"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," [/b]he said.[/p][p]Verlander also thanked MLB commissioner Rob Manfred for making him a "Legend Pick" for next week's All-Star game.[/p][embed guid="dba283d3-3a49-4682-96a6-256b8075b9af" url="https://x.com/MLB/status/2074894470785663132?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Verlander, who has also played for the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-york-mets/I5wWW4UM/"]New York Mets[/a] and the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/san-francisco-giants/bRZ9b6xj/"]San Francisco Giants[/a], is one of just six pitchers in MLB history to throw three no-hitters.[/p][p]He owns 266 career wins, and his 3,554 strikeouts rank eighth in MLB history.[/p][p]Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said he'd tried to be [b]"a good listener"[/b] as Verlander mulled his options in recent weeks and grappled with how to announce his decision while simultaneously working to get back on the field this year.[/p][p][b]"It's time for the next chapter,"[/b] Verlander wrote on X. [b]"But first, I'm excited to finish this season the only way I know how - with everything I've got."[/b][/p]