Tigers rotation: Skubal and Verlander reunite as leaders

Justin Verlander has signed a one-year contract to rejoin the Detroit Tigers, and he and Tarik Skubal are now teammates at spring training and speaking publicly about their roles.

Justin Verlander returned to the Tigers' spring training complex this week and was shown around by Tarik Skubal, who joked about giving a tour. Verlander reflected on how family and time have changed him and said Detroit kept coming to mind as a place of meaning. The club added Verlander on a one-year contract as it also invested in pitching during the offseason. Skubal, coming off a high-profile arbitration ruling, and Verlander are now teammates as the Tigers prepare for the 2026 season. Key details: - Verlander signed a one-year deal reported at $13 million, with $11 million of that amount deferred until 2030. - The Tigers also signed Framber Valdez to a three-year, $115 million contract after Reese Olson required right-shoulder surgery. - Skubal and the Tigers filed different arbitration figures (the club at $19 million; Skubal at $32 million), and a three-person arbitration panel ruled in Skubal's favor, producing a record arbitration award. - Verlander and Skubal described mutual respect and interest in learning from one another, with Skubal observing Verlander's routines and Verlander saying he is open to exchanging ideas. - Verlander spoke about personal growth, saying fatherhood and family life have changed his approach to communication and being available in the clubhouse. Summary: Verlander's return brings an experienced veteran back to a rotation that includes Tarik Skubal and other homegrown pitchers, altering the team's clubhouse dynamic. Both pitchers described a willingness to learn from each other as spring training progresses. The team will continue evaluations and preparations through spring training and into the 2026 regular season.