(Detroit) — Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander– all but certainly a future Hall of Famer – announced Wednesday he plans to retire at season’s end. The announcement came shortly after Verlander was named to his 10th All-Star Game as a Legend Pick by Commissioner Rob Manfred to recognize his greatness over a 21-year Major League career.

The 43-year-old Verlander, currently on the 60-day injured list due to hip and hamstring injuries will be celebrated at next Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia.

“I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number, or a date on the calendar,” Verlander wrote in a statement posted to social media. “I wanted the game to tell me when it was time. Over the last several months, I’ve realized that time has come. 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. It’s fitting that I get to finish where it all started — with the Detroit Tigers.”

Verlander’s career ranks among the greatest for a pitcher in his generation and the modern era overall. His 3,554 strikeouts rank eighth all-time. His 266 wins rank 37th. He and Don Newcombe are the only players in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and MVP honors in his career. He’s one of just six pitchers in history to throw three no-hitters — twice as a Tiger (2007, ’11) and once with Houston (2019).

Verlander brought his career full circle in February, signing a one-year deal to return to Detroit and fill out a rotation that includes Tarik Skubal and All-Star Casey Mize. After a strong late-season run with the Giants in 2025, Verlander hoped to be the piece that helped the Tigers take the next step toward World Series contention. But he has yet to get a chance to pitch at Comerica Park again. After a rough season debut on the road in Arizona, he went on the injured list April 1 with left hip inflammation.