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By Aaron Coloma
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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander will start Saturday's game against the San Diego Padres, the team announced Tuesday.
Verlander spent the first 13 seasons of his Hall-of-Fame career with the Detroit Tigers, and returned to end his career with the team after stints with the Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants and New York Mets. He announced his retirement at the end of the season in July, when he received his final All-Star selection.
The right-hander only made one start this season, which came on the road, and has been on the injured list since April with a hip injury followed by a hamstring strain.
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“Obviously it's been frustrating, not at all how I envisioned the year going,” Verlander said. “I honestly didn't envision this being the last season, but that's the way things go, and [I] slowly came to the realization through the course of the year when I just couldn't get back out there. That's been quite difficult, but I've come to terms with it and feel good about where things are at."
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How Long Will Justin Verlander Pitch For Saturday?
Verlander likely won't have a very long start, as he hasn't rehabbed at all and his arm probably isn't ready for an extended outing, but that won't stop him from making the most of the opportunity. The right-hander revealed to manager A.J. Hinch he didn't just want a "one-inning sendoff."
“I could've easily hung it up a month or two ago, but really pushed as hard as I possibly could, skipping a lot of steps, risking some serious injury potentially. But hey, that's what I've done my whole career," Verlander said. "I want to be out there. I want to pitch, to do it not only for myself but for the fans.”
“...I don’t just want to go out there and do one inning and come out and wave. I would like to toe the rubber one more time in a competitive way and try to win the Detroit Tigers a ballgame.”
What Has Justin Verlander Accomplished?
Verlander began his career with the Tigers in 2005, but really broke onto the scene in 2006. He earned the Rookie of the Year award that season, posting a 3.63 ERA through 30 starts, and continued to impress during his time with the Tigers.
He earned six All-Star appearances with the team, winning a Cy Young and MVP award in 2011.
Verlander won two more Cy Young awards with the Houston Astros, as well as two World Series championships, and made a total of 10 All-Star appearances during his career. At present, he leads active players with 556 starts, 26 complete games, nine shutouts, 3,571.1 innings pitched, 3,554 strikeouts and 82.3 bWAR.
However Saturday's game unfolds, Verlander will go down as a legend of the game and is bound for Cooperstown as soon as he becomes eligible.
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