BREAKING: Justin Verlander, the three-time Cy Young Award winner, has announced his intention to continue his storied MLB career into 2026, following a remarkable turnaround with the San Francisco Giants. After struggling early this season, Verlander has found his form and is eager for a 21st season.
The 42-year-old pitcher, who turns 43 in February, has rebounded from a dismal start where he went 0-8 in his first 16 starts. Since then, he has turned the tide, allowing just three runs over his last 31 innings, achieving a stellar 0.87 ERA in his past five outings. Verlander expressed his hopes for a new contract, stating, “I would hope somebody would offer me a contract now,” during an interview with USA Today Sports on Wednesday.
Verlander’s journey this season has been nothing short of dramatic. His first victory came on July 23, and since then, he has improved to 3-2 with a 2.17 ERA in his last eleven games, bringing his season ERA down to 3.75. Reflecting on his early-season struggles, Verlander stated, “Every day you come to the field for four months, and it’s like, ‘What’s the way out of this?'” His resilience and determination to adjust have paid off, as he recently pitched seven scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, though the game ended in a no-decision.
Despite his impressive comeback, Verlander acknowledges the challenges ahead. With 265 career wins, he is just one win shy of tying Hall of Famers Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey for 34th on the all-time list but admits that reaching 300 wins may be an unrealistic goal. “I think we all know… it would have been nice if possible,” he said. “But again it’s that point of the year where we’re not playing for individual stats.”
As the Giants strive for a playoff berth, Verlander is focused on contributing to the team’s success rather than personal milestones. “I want to give us the best chance to win this,” he emphasized.
With Verlander’s future now in the spotlight, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this season wraps up and what lies ahead for the veteran pitcher. Stay tuned for updates on Verlander’s journey and potential contract negotiations as the MLB season progresses.
