Justin Verlander is not ready to hang up his pants just yet. At 42, when the majority of the players are ready to drive into the sunset, he is set to make a comeback in 2025 from his injury-plagued season. For someone with a Hall of Fame resume, his season was tough. Shoulder and neck issues limited him to just 90.1 innings—which is his lowest outside the 2020 shortened season. And his ERA stands at 5.48, a figure he hadn’t seen since his rookie year back in 2005.

Verlander’s neck injury, in particular, was the Achilles heel that sidelined him for two months. And when he made a return, he wasn’t in form. Later, he even admitted that maybe he wasn’t ready and rushed into things. But despite the setbacks, he is ready to take on the next season, and his resilience proves why he is one of baseball’s best. Houston Astros General Manager Dana Brown recently shared that the team has been in contact with Verlander’s agent. So maybe a reunion is on the horizon!

Justin Verlander’s returning to the Astros?

Despite having a tough season, Verlander is still a well-respected figure in the MLB. With impressive career numbers—3,415.2 innings pitched, 262 wins, and 526 starts, he also played a crucial role in the Houston Astros World Series victories of 2017 and 2022. Plus, the baseball legend has two Cy Young awards under his belt. And it seems like the Astros haven’t forgotten what he brought to the table.

Astros GM Dana Brown indicated that the door is open for Verlander’s homecoming. In a recent episode of the ESPN Baseball Tonight podcast, Brown mentioned, “We’ve had conversations with his agent [ISE’s Mark Pieper] just to try to feel him out. I don’t know if there’s been a lot of progress, but we’re having conversations.”

He also mentioned that Verlander has had a lovely career at Houston, highlighting that the team remembers. Through Dana Brown’s words, it seems like a deal is not certain, but a return seems a possibility. Moreover, Dana Brown mentioned that if Verlander stays healthy, his market too will heat up. So, is the road long enough for the baseball legend?

What’s next for Justin Verlander?

Now at 42, Justin Verlander’s next contract most likely won’t be in the periphery of the massive $86.7 million deal he signed with the New York Mets back in 2023. This is because, with his injuries, everything remains uncertain. Despite that, the man is still a competitive force, and his fastball velocity of 94.3 mph reflects that. While teams may be cautious to take him on, his leadership in the clubhouse and his Hall of Fame career could be an appealing option. 

However, the history of injury is an immediate red flag owing to which he might get a short-term and incentive-laden contract. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros are really in a position where adding a veteran arm to the lineup makes a lot of sense.

Their rotation has Framer Valdez, Hunter Brown, and the rest, so it does look solid at the top. But the problem is in their in-house fifth starter options. Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia, J.P. France, and Christian Javier have all been injured or come out of a Tommy John surgery. So Verlander’s reunion makes sense; however, the team may weigh in on the risks. 

Do you think Verlander will be back with the Houston Astros? Let us know in the comments.