Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) - Major League Baseball pitching great Justin Verlander, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and former American League Most Valuable Player, will retire after the 2026 season.

The 43-year-old Detroit Tigers hurler announced his decision on Wednesday in a social media post.

“This season has challenged me in ways I haven’t experienced before, both physically and mentally,” Verlander, a two-time World Series champion with the Houston Astros, said in a statement posted on X.

“I’ve always believed that as long as I could compete at the level I expect of myself, I’d keep playing. I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number or a date on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me when it was time.

“Over the last several months, I’ve realized that time has come,” the future Hall of Famer added.

Verlander returned to the Tigers this season on a one-year, $13 million contract.

He launched his MLB career with the Tigers in 2005 and spent his first 13 seasons in Detroit before a stellar stint with the Astros that included World Series titles in 2017 and 2022.

Speaking before the Tigers’ game against the Athletics on Wednesday, a relaxed-looking Verlander said injury issues that have limited him to one start this season made the decision “kind of easy”.

“Here I am at the All-Star break and haven’t been able to pitch except for one start,” said Verlander, who was idled by a hip injury and just when he seemed set to return sidelined by a hamstring strain.

“My body’s just sending signals that it’s just not quite capable,” he said.

“My arm feels great,” added Verlander, who missed all of the 2021 season after Tommy John elbow surgery in September of 2020.

“I think it’s pretty ironic that my arm’s still doing what it’s supposed to do. This thing’s served me well for a long time now and that’s not what’s failing me.”

Verlander said in his X statement he was “fully committed” to giving the Tigers his best for the rest of the season.

“It’s fitting that I get to finish where it all started – with the Detroit Tigers, the organization that drafted me and gave me my first opportunity,” he said.

Verlander also thanked MLB commissioner Rob Manfred for making him a “Legend Pick” for next week’s All-Star game.

Verlander, who has also played for the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants, is one of just six pitchers in MLB history to throw three no-hitters.

He owns 266 career wins and his 3,554 strikeouts rank eighth in MLB history.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said he’d tried to be “a good listener” as Verlander mulled his options in recent weeks and grappled with how to announce his decision while simultaneously working to get back on the field this year.

“It’s time for the next chapter,” Verlander wrote on X. “But first, I’m excited to finish this season the only way I know how – with everything I’ve got.”