Justin Verlander, 43, the oldest active pitcher in Major League Baseball, will leave the field at the end of this season, closing out a 22-year major league career with the Detroit Tigers.
Verlander announced his decision via social media on the 9th, Korean time, saying, "I will retire from active play after this season."
"This season has presented me with physical and mental challenges I had never experienced before," he said. "Over the past few months, I realized the time had come to retire."
"I have decided to end my playing career after this season," he added. "It is deeply meaningful to retire in Detroit, the team that gave me my first opportunity."
Verlander, the oldest active player in the league, was selected by Detroit with the second overall pick in the first round of the 2004 draft and played for 22 years (21 seasons) starting in 2005.
Over his career, he made 556 starts, pitching 3,571 1/3 innings with a record of 266 wins and 159 losses, a 3.33 ERA and 3,554 strikeouts.
This season, however, Verlander has made just one start, posting one loss and a 12.27 ERA. He has since been sidelined by a hip injury and other ailments.
"It was a great fortune for me to be able to compete in front of fans who truly love baseball. I sincerely thank my teammates, coaches, club staff and fans from every team," Verlander wrote. "I am grateful to my family, especially my wife Kate (Upton). Without you, I could not have accomplished any of this."
