The veteran right-hander struck out six batters over 5 1/3 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates before walking off the mound for the final time.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander made the final start of his 20-year Major League Baseball career on Saturday, Sept. 26, facing the Pittsburgh Pirates. Verlander worked 5 1/3 innings and struck out six batters while giving up two home runs before manager A.J. Hinch removed him from the mound to a standing ovation.
Before he exited the field, his daughter, Genevieve, came out to the mound to tell him his playing career was over. While the Detroit Free Press and other outlets placed the game at Comerica Park in Detroit, an outlet report from HEAVY stated the game was scheduled at PNC Park.
The Tigers originally selected Verlander with the second overall pick in the 2004 draft. During his tenure in Detroit, he won both the American League Cy Young Award and the AL Most Valuable Player Award in 2011. Saturday’s finale also featured a past connection in the opposing dugout: Pirates manager Don Kelly played alongside Verlander when the pitcher made his Double-A debut in 2005.
The appearance followed a pregame celebration on Friday night, where Verlander delivered a retirement address alongside his wife and children. Genevieve Verlander threw out the ceremonial first pitch after the ceremony. Detroit went on to win Friday’s matchup 8-7 behind starter Jackson Jobe, who surrendered two runs over 5 1/3 innings.
The weekend series closed out a 2026 campaign in which Detroit missed the playoffs, halting a two-year run of postseason appearances after injuries sidelined Verlander and fellow starter Reese Olson.
