Verlander and Tigers tentatively target farewell appearance

Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers are tentatively targeting Saturday, 26 September, for a possible farewell appearance before the 43-year-old retires from Major League Baseball.

Verlander has not pitched since 30 March while recovering from hip and hamstring injuries. He has recently resumed mound sessions, but said his hamstring is still not fully recovered as he pushes for a return later this month.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told CBS Sports that the proposed date remains provisional. Verlander has further mound sessions ahead and health questions to answer before the club can determine whether he is ready to pitch.

The Tigers have planned career celebrations for Verlander during the final weekend of the season, when they are expected to face the Pittsburgh Pirates. His workload and the number of batters he could face remain unknown.

Verlander announced in July that the 2026 season would be his last. He is a former MVP, three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series champion, but a farewell appearance will depend on whether his rehabilitation progresses sufficiently.