LAKELAND, Fla. – Wearing tan and with a cup of coffee in hand, Justin Verlander walked into the Detroit Tigers’ clubhouse at the TigerTown complex on Wednesday, February 11, ready for the first day of pitcher and catcher practice.
After settling in, he introduced himself to the unfamiliar faces nearby and eventually changed into baseball gear.
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The Old English “D” still looks good on him.
It wasn’t long before Kenley Jansen walked past Verlander’s locker. One day they will be in the Hall of Fame together. Currently, Jansen is MLB’s active saves leader, while Verlander is the active wins leader.
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A handshake between them turned into a one-armed hug and a pat on the back – and then came the most memorable moment of the day.
“I don’t think I’m the oldest anymore,” Jensen said.
“How old are you?” Verlander responded.
“I’m 38 years old,” Jensen said.
“You still have five years!” On February 20, Wilander will be 43 years old.
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They smiled.
Only two future Hall of Fame teammates are enjoying their first day with the Tigers, both signed to one-year contracts through the 2026 season.
This is Verlander’s first spring training in TigerTown since 2017. He pitched for the Tigers from 2005-17 before being traded to the Houston Astros on August 31, 2017, in one of the first moves of the Tigers’ rebuild.
“I’m excited to see him in this clubhouse and I’m excited to be here for the first time,” Jensen said. “It’s going to be fun. I can already feel it. We’re excited to get started.”
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Everyone wants to talk to Verlander.
But Verlander has chosen not to speak to any reporters — yet. He shook hands and made small talk, but he offered no insight into his decision to return to the Tigers after more than eight years away.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” Wilander said.
Why not today?
Detroit Tigers pitcher Franbell Valdez (center, right) speaks next to president of baseball operations Scott Harris (center, left) and general manager Jeff Greenberg (left) during Valdez’s introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Lakeland, Florida.
Because Verlander didn’t want to steal Valdez’s thunder, the Tigers introduced Valdez Wednesday at a family-friendly news conference at the senior “34 Club” at Joker Marchant Stadium after his first practice.
With Valdez’s father, mother, brother, wife and children looking on, Verlander wished he could have his moment.
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Three minutes into the press conference, the Tigers’ rotating starting lineup — Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal and Verlander (in order of appearance) — walked in and expressed their support for Valdez joining the Tigers.
“It feels great that they took the time to be with me,” Valdez said in Spanish, translated by Octagon agent Ulises Cabrera. “I want to be a part of that group. A rising tide lifts all boats. For them, they’re the best in their class.”
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Detroit Tigers pitchers Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Framber Valdez, Tarik Skubal and Justin Verlander, left to right, during Valdez’s introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Lakeland, Florida.
When is Justin Verlander’s press conference?
Don’t worry.
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The Tigers will bring in Verlander.
A press conference will be held at 8:15 a.m. Thursday at Club 34, just like Wednesday’s extravaganza in Valdez.
“We know how he fits with this city and this organization, but we want him to know how he fits with this team and how he can help us win,” said president of baseball operations Scott Harris, who signed Verlander to a one-year, $13 million contract on Tuesday. “I think that’s where we really hit it off. He has some unfinished business in Detroit. We want to win, too.”
“This is a great addition in a lot of ways,” said manager AJ Hinch, who coached Verlander with the Astros from 2017-19. “My focus on him is entirely on what he can do to help us win on the mound. When he stands in front of you tomorrow, he’ll share his emotions and his feelings.”
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Justin Verlander catches the ball
During Wednesday’s practice, Verlander went through a series of drills, including stretching and pitching defensive drills. He looks comfortable around his new teammates.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander during spring training at TigerTown on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 in Lakeland, Florida.
The 20-year MLB veteran put on the glove and took a catch with bullpen catcher Tim Remes, one of the few remaining players from Verlander’s first stint with the Tigers. He joined the Tigers as a bullpen catcher in 2018, less than a year after the Tigers traded Verlander on Aug. 31, 2017.
But Reames spent time with the Tigers before joining the coaching staff, including spending the entire 2015 season at Low-A Lakeland with Verlander’s brother, Ben Verlander.
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Verlander and Reames discussed one of Verlander’s pitch-type cuts during the catch.
It’s like two mechanics fine-tuning an engine.
Eventually, Verlander was joined by Skubal, Valdez and Flaherty.
Four people play catch at the same time.
Afterwards they talked like old friends.
“We go back to 2017 in Houston,” said Valdez, Verlander’s teammate with the Astros from 2018-24. “I looked to him as a role model when I came on the field. He was my guide on how to handle the time between starts and how seriously he took every start.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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For the (spring) opener: Yankees
Battle: Tigers (87-75 in 2025) vs. New York Yankees (94-68 in 2025), Grapefruit League opener.
Pitching in the first quarter: February 21, 1:10 p.m.; George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, Florida.
TV/Radio: There isn’t any.
Regular season opener: March 26, 4:10 p.m.; at San Diego Padres, Petco Park.
This article originally appeared in the Detroit Free Press: Justin Verlander meshes well with Tigers on first day of spring training