Tigers thank Justin Verlander after return to Detroit

His first home start for the club since 2017 came Sept. 26.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 43m1 min read

RT @tigers: A fitting end for a legendary career. Thank you, @JustinVerlander. https://t.co/jQSoVQnMsm Via @MLB on X

Via @tigers on X

What happened: Detroit posted a public thank-you to Justin Verlander as his latest run with the Tigers reached its close. The salute came after his Sept. 26 home start at Comerica Park, his first there for the club since 2017.

Why it matters: The note landed just after Detroit finished its 2026 season, turning Verlander's return into one of the club's final public beats before the offseason. His appearance carried more weight than a routine late-September start because it reopened a Tigers chapter that had been dormant for nine years.

By the numbers: Detroit closed its final series against Pittsburgh with a 2-1 edge despite a 4-2 loss in the finale on Sept. 28. Verlander's Sept. 26 outing was his first Tigers home start since 2017, a nine-year gap.

What to watch: Detroit now moves into offseason business after the season-ending Pittsburgh series. Any further ceremony or formal statement tied to Verlander's future would be the next development to watch.

Sources

@tigers 2026-10-02T16:56:59.608795+00:00

CONVERSATION

Loading comments…

MLBRecapDetroit Tigers

Follow MLB Intelligence

Real-time signals and analysis

@WireReportMLB

WR Pro

The day's sports, briefed to your inbox at 7am ET. Every claim sourced.

$9/month Free weekly newsletter →