With Justin Verlander left off the roster, the starting pitcher didn’t have the opportunity to pitch for the Houston Astros during their AL wild-card series against his former team, the Detroit Tigers. Despite holding home-field advantage, the Astros lost both games at Minute Maid Park, leading to their elimination from the playoffs on Wednesday. This defeat snapped their seven-year streak of reaching at least the ALCS.
Following Wednesday’s 5-2 loss, the 41-year-old Verlander addressed the media and confirmed his plans to continue his remarkable career in 2025.
Justin Verlander: “I want to continue to pitch, to compete. I’m not ready to step away yet.”
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 2, 2024
Three-time AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander endured a challenging 2024 season, finishing with a 5-6 record and a career-worst 5.48 ERA over 90 1/3 innings in 17 starts. Plagued by multiple shoulder issues, Verlander pitched the fewest innings of his career, aside from his two-start MLB debut in 2005 and the pandemic-affected 2020 and 2021 seasons, following Tommy John surgery.
As reported by The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans, Verlander’s innings total plays a crucial role in his 2025 outlook. Since he fell short of the 140 innings required to trigger a $35 million vesting option, Verlander will enter free agency.
Regardless of how long his career continues, the 2011 AL MVP has already secured his place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Widely regarded as one of the best pitchers of the 21st century, Verlander’s struggles in 2024 contrast sharply with his stellar 2023 campaign, where he posted a 13-8 record, 3.22 ERA, and 1.13 WHIP. He also captured his most recent Cy Young Award in 2022 at age 39.
If Verlander has his way, MLB fans haven’t seen the last of him yet.
