Justin Verlander has announced that the 2026 MLB season will be the last of his career. The veteran pitcher shared the news in a message released before the All-Star Game, saying he has realized the time has come to step away from baseball. Verlander said this season has tested him both physically and mentally, and he always wanted the game itself to tell him when it was time to retire. While thanking the Commissioner for selecting him to another All-Star Game, he said the moment would be especially meaningful for him and his family as he prepares to close one of baseball’s most successful careers.
Justin Verlander says the game told him it was time to retire
In his message, Verlander explained that he never wanted to retire because of a milestone, an age, or a date on the calendar. Instead, he wanted to keep playing as long as he felt he could perform at the level he expected from himself.“This season has challenged me in ways I haven’t experienced before, both physically and mentally,” Verlander wrote.He added, “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.”According to Verlander, that realization came over the past several months.“Over the last several months, I’ve realized that time has come,” he said.Even with retirement ahead, Verlander made it clear that his focus remains on helping his team for the rest of the season.“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,” he wrote.The decision carries extra meaning because Verlander will finish his career with the Detroit Tigers, the team that drafted him and gave him his first chance in Major League Baseball.
Justin Verlander thanks wife Kate Upton and reflects on baseball journey
A large part of Verlander’s message focused on gratitude. He thanked teammates, coaches, clubhouse staff and fans who supported him throughout his career.“Baseball has given me more than I could have imagined. It taught me discipline, resilience, and the value of continuing to adapt and evolve,” he wrote.He also thanked the many people he met during his years in the sport.“To every teammate, coach, player, clubhouse attendant, and fan who has been part of this journey, thank you. It’s been a privilege to share the field with you.”Verlander reserved some of his most personal words for his family, especially his wife, model Kate Upton.“To my family, especially my wife Kate, thank you for standing beside me through every season, every rehab, and every high and low. I couldn’t have done this without you.”Verlander and Upton first met during a commercial shoot in 2012. After several years together, they became engaged in 2016 and married in Tuscany, Italy, in November 2017, just days after Verlander won the World Series with the Houston Astros. The couple welcomed their daughter, Genevieve, in 2018 and have often spoken publicly about supporting each other’s careers.As he looks toward retirement, Verlander said there is still one job left to do before turning the page. “It’s time for the next chapter. But first, I’m excited to finish this season the only way I know how, with everything I’ve got.”
