DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JUNE 21: Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers looks on and smiles against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park on June 21, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.

Verlander will retire after 2026, joins AL All-Star roster as Legend Pick

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Nic Antaya / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander announced Wednesday that he will hang up his cleats at the end of the season.

The outgoing pitcher was also named to the AL All-Star team on Wednesday as a Legend Pick by commissioner Rob Manfred.

The injured Verlander won't be active during the All-Star Game in Philadelphia but will attend and be honored at the event. The 43-year-old has pitched in only one game this season, allowing five earned runs in 3 2/3 innings on March 30.

The future Hall of Famer is a three-time AL Cy Young winner, two-time World Series champion, AL MVP, Rookie of the Year, and member of the vaunted 3,000-strikeout club. He's suited up for the Tigers, Houston Astros, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants over 21 seasons.

Bryce Harper of the host Philadelphia Phillies is the other Legend Pick for the Midsummer Classic. Previous selections include Clayton Kershaw in 2025 and Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera in 2022.

Verlander returned to the Tigers in the offseason on a one-year, $13-million deal after spending the first 13 years of his career with the team.

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