Miguel Vargas has emerged as the Chicago White Sox' offensive cornerstone, hitting 33 home runs and 106 RBIs in 2026 after nearly quitting baseball following a disastrous 2024 trade from the Dodgers. The White Sox are currently tied 2-2 with the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Division Series, with Vargas hitting his first postseason home run in Game 4. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers have released several staff members, including head athletic trainer Ryne Eubanks, and the Kansas City Royals received legislative approval for a new ballpark at Crown Center.
Justin Verlander transitioned from retirement to a Fox Sports analyst role within days of his final MLB start. During the NLDS, he interviewed Dodgers star Freddie Freeman, who was visibly surprised by the former pitcher’s presence. Verlander’s debut was marked by humorous interactions with current players and a trivia segment with David Ortiz.
Justin Verlander officially retired from Major League Baseball on September 26, 2026, after a 21-year career. His final start at Comerica Park featured an emotional exit involving his daughter, a walk-off victory for the Detroit Tigers, and a $100,000 donation to a veteran pet adoption program. His wife, Kate Upton, announced on the 'Today' show that she will no longer watch baseball.
Oakland Athletics player Zack Gelof has filed a lawsuit against the Detroit Tigers, Ilitch Holdings, and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority. The suit alleges that Gelof suffered a severe knee injury after sliding into exposed metal fencing at Comerica Park during a July 9 game. Filed in Wayne County Circuit Court on September 28, the complaint claims the defendants failed to provide adequate safety measures, resulting in a 30-day absence from play. The Tigers have declined to comment on the pending litigation.
Justin Verlander officially retired from Major League Baseball following his final start on September 26, 2026. The 43-year-old pitcher concluded his career with a $100,000 donation to Michigan Humane for Military and an emotional farewell at Comerica Park. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit subsequently highlighted his wife, Kate Upton, in a retrospective of her 2024 cover shoot to mark the couple's departure from the public spotlight.
Justin Verlander concluded his 22-year MLB career with an emotional final start for the Detroit Tigers on September 26, 2026. The 43-year-old pitcher, limited by injuries, threw 5 1/3 innings in a 4-3 walk-off victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The game featured a surprise appearance by his daughter, Genevieve, who ran onto the field for a tearful hug, a moment that caught broadcaster Jason Benetti off guard. Following the game, Verlander donated $100,000 to Michigan Humane for Military, supporting veteran pet adoptions. While outlets praised the emotional farewell, some critics noted the spectacle disrupted the pace of play.
Oakland Athletics third baseman Zack Gelof has filed a lawsuit against the Detroit Tigers, Ilitch Holdings, and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority. The suit alleges Gelof suffered a severe knee injury after colliding with exposed metal fencing at Comerica Park during a July 9 game. The complaint claims the defendants failed to adequately protect players from a foreseeable hazard, resulting in a 30-day absence from play. The lawsuit seeks damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, with no specific amount disclosed.
Justin Verlander officially retired from Major League Baseball following his final start on September 26, 2026. The former Cy Young winner concluded his career with a $100,000 donation to Michigan Humane for Military and an emotional exit at Comerica Park.
Oakland Athletics player Zack Gelof has sued the Detroit Tigers, Ilitch Holdings, and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority for a knee injury sustained at Comerica Park. The lawsuit, filed on September 28, 2026, alleges that Gelof suffered a deep laceration after sliding into exposed metal fencing during a July 9 game. The complaint claims the defendants failed to provide adequate padding or safety measures, leading to a 30-day absence from professional baseball. While the Tigers declined to comment, the suit argues the hazard was foreseeable and easily preventable with basic protective measures.
Justin Verlander concluded his 21-year Major League Baseball career with a 4-3 walk-off victory for the Detroit Tigers against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 43-year-old pitcher, limited by hip and hamstring injuries, threw 5 1/3 innings in his final start. The game ended with a surprise appearance by his seven-year-old daughter, Genevieve, who ran to the mound for a tearful hug. Verlander finished his career with 266 wins, 3,560 strikeouts, and three Cy Young Awards.
Justin Verlander concluded his 21-year Major League Baseball career on September 26, 2026, with an emotional final start for the Detroit Tigers. Despite significant physical limitations from hip and hamstring injuries, the 43-year-old pitcher threw 5 1/3 innings in a 4-3 walk-off victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The game ended with a surprise appearance by his seven-year-old daughter, Genevieve, who ran to the mound for a tearful hug. Verlander, who finished with 3,560 strikeouts and three Cy Young Awards, received a standing ovation from a sellout crowd of 41,377 fans at Comerica Park.
Veteran reliever Kirby Yates announced his retirement on September 26, 2026, immediately after pitching his first career start for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 39-year-old right-hander threw 1.2 scoreless innings in a 4-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers, a game that also featured Justin Verlander’s final career start. Yates, who spent parts of 12 seasons with eight different clubs, finished with a 3.35 ERA and 101 saves. He cited physical exhaustion, stating he had 'nothing left' to give the game. His final appearance marked a symbolic end to a career defined by elite strikeout rates and two All-Star selections, concluding with a farewell moment shared by two aging veterans in the same game.
Justin Verlander concluded his 21-year MLB career on September 26, 2026, with an emotional final start for the Detroit Tigers. Despite physical limitations from injuries, he pitched 5 1/3 innings in a 4-3 walk-off win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The game ended with a surprise appearance by his daughter, Genevieve, leading to a tearful farewell on the mound.
Justin Verlander will make the final start of his 21-year career on Saturday, September 26, against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park. Despite limited recent activity due to injuries, Verlander insists he wants to compete rather than just make a ceremonial appearance. The Detroit Tigers, now eliminated from postseason contention, have arranged roster moves to reinstate him from the 60-day injured list. Verlander, who has thrown only 14.1 innings this season, aims to pitch as many innings as his body allows, rejecting a one-inning send-off. This marks the end of his tenure with the Tigers, where he was drafted in 2004 and spent his first 14 seasons before leaving for the Astros. His career includes multiple Cy Young awards, an MVP, and three no-hitters. Fans are expected to pack the stadium for a farewell event, though the Tigers' poor performance this season has shifted the narrative from a competitive return to a sentimental conclusion. Verlander expressed gratitude for the fan support but acknowledged the frustration of a season that did not go as planned. The game offers a chance for a full-circle moment, with Verlander ending where he began, though his physical limitations may restrict his outing to a few innings. The Tigers hope for a positive outcome, but the primary focus is on honoring his legacy and allowing him to compete in a meaningful way before retirement.
Detroit Tigers' home ballpark will be renamed from Comerica Park to Fifth Third Park starting in 2027, following a multi-billion-dollar bank merger. The change, announced on September 21, 2026, marks the first rename since the stadium opened in 2000 and has sparked significant backlash from fans and celebrities, including rock star Jack White, who publicly rejected the new name.
