Justin Verlander is returning to the Houston Astros after declining the one-year, $18.4 million qualifying offer prior to Wednesday’s deadline.
Verlander received a one-year contract worth $25 million with a player option for 2023. Because he rejected the qualifying offer this offseason, Verlander will not be eligible to receive it next offseason or any other point in his career moving forward.
The soon-to-be 39-year-old Verlander has not pitched since Opening Day 2020 because of an elbow injury that would later require Tommy John surgery.
Right-hander Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a one-year, $25 million deal that includes a player option for a second season, sources tell ESPN.@BenVerlander had the deal first because of course he did.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 17, 2021
He’s baaaaaack.
Justin Verlander is re-signing with the Astros, per @BenVerlander pic.twitter.com/hh7z7ad5K7
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) November 17, 2021