42-Year-Old Justin Verlander Pitches 2 Innings in Spring Debut for Giants

Justin Verlander made his spring training debut for the San Francisco Giants on Monday, pitching two innings at the age of 42. The veteran right-hander struck out one batter and allowed a solo home run to Colorado's Michael Toglia in the first inning. Despite the initial hiccup, Verlander managed to walk the next batter before retiring the last four he faced, with all three Rockies hitters in the second inning being retired on flyballs. This outing marks Verlander's first start of the spring, which came just four days after celebrating his 42nd birthday.
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Verlander's 262 career wins are the most among active pitchers, and he is preparing for his 20th major league season, his first with the Giants. After an injury-plagued 2024 season in Houston, where he was limited to 17 starts due to shoulder inflammation and neck discomfort, Verlander is looking to bounce back. He signed a $15 million, one-year contract with San Francisco, hoping to regain his form and contribute to the team's success. With a career 3.30 ERA, Verlander is determined to overcome last season's struggles and prove that age is just a number.