Three-time Cy Young Award winner, two-time World Series Champion and 2011 American League Most Valuable Player Justin Verlander has been named to the AL roster as a “Legend Pick” for the 2026 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced today.
The 43-year-old right-hander, who has been on the Injured List since early April, will not be active at the All-Star Game, but will attend and be honored during the festivities in Philadelphia. In 556 starts across 21 Major League seasons, Verlander has compiled a career record of 266-159 with a 3.33 ERA. One of the most accomplished pitchers in the National Pastime’s history, Verlander registered 3,554 strikeouts in 3,571.1 innings pitched while tossing 26 complete games, including nine shutouts. The Virginia native burst onto the scene in 2006, winning 17 games and helping propel the Tigers to the Fall Classic before taking home the Jackie Robinson AL Rookie of the Year Award. Verlander produced an historic 2011 season, going 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA and 250 strikeouts in 251.0 innings to claim the AL’s pitching Triple Crown while being named a unanimous Cy Young Award winner and the first starting pitcher to win the AL MVP in 25 years. Verlander made his first career start at the Midsummer Classic the following season, taking the ball for the AL at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. He was also the AL’s starting pitcher at the 2019 All-Star Game at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
The second overall pick in the 2004 MLB Draft added 17 wins and a 3.58 ERA across 226.0 innings pitched in his Postseason career. Verlander pitched parts of seven seasons with the Houston Astros and helped the franchise to World Series titles in 2017 and 2022 while also claiming his second and third AL Cy Young Awards in 2017 and 2021. His 5.21 career Cy Young shares rank third all-time behind only Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson. One of only 11 pitchers in Major League history to eclipse 3,500 career strikeouts, Verlander ranks eighth all-time in strikeouts and his 266 victories are tied for 36th all-time. The Old Dominion product tossed three no-hitters during his legendary career, making him one of just six pitchers in history to accomplish the feat on at least three occasions.
Verlander joins National League first baseman Bryce Harper of the host Philadelphia Phillies as “Legend Picks” for the 2026 Midsummer Classic. Previous “Legend Picks” made by Commissioner Manfred have included Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera in 2022, and Clayton Kershaw in 2025.
MLB All-Star Week includes the MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard (July 14th); Gatorade All-Star Workout Day featuring the T-Mobile Home Run Derby (July 13th); All-Star Sunday featuring the All-Star Futures Game presented by Nike and MLBx: All-Star 3-on-3 (July 12th); the MLB Draft presented by Nippon Express (July 11th-12th); the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by USA Baseball (July 10th); and Capital One All-Star Village (July 11th-14th). The 96th Midsummer Classic will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and TVA Sports; and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish language coverage in the United States. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game, while Univision will provide Spanish language coverage on radio. MLB Network and MLB.com will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week, including ticket information and updates, please visit allstargame.com and follow @MLB on social media.