Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander is thinking about what it would be like to wear a Detroit Tigers uniform one last time. The veteran hurler is reminiscing about his time in Detroit as he prepares to pitch against his old team on Sunday. Verlander is scheduled to take the mound for the Astros against the Tigers.

“Honestly, and this isn't just some bullshit answer,” Verlander said Friday, per the Detroit Free Press. “I take my career as it comes to me and try to make decisions at the time that they're in front of me. I try not to get too far ahead or behind, just try to be present and try to be as good as I possibly can for as long as I can.”

Verlander admits he thinks about what it would be like to retire with the team from the Motor City. The hurler pitched for Detroit from 2005-2017.

“Obviously, I think about it,” Verlander added. “You come back here, and obviously, it has to be on your mind. But as far as signing with the Tigers and coming back here, that's fate. I don't know. That's something that's out of my control. It's an unanswerable question.”

Verlander's tenure in MLB

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The veteran hurler has been slowed down this season by injuries. Verlander has appeared in four games this year, with a 1-1 overall record. The pitcher has had an incredible run in the major leagues, and his time is certainly not over. Verlander says he's been feeling well since his injury delayed his season start. He has spent nearly 20 years in Major League Baseball. After leaving Detroit, he has spent time in Houston, as well as New York with the Mets.
“I got some mechanical issues that became pretty prevalent to me,” Verlander added, “but physically, I feel good. I'm still putting in all the work to go out there and throw. It's still working. My arm feels good.”

Tigers teachings

Verlander is almost certainly likely to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. In his career, he has a 3.25 ERA, with 258 total wins. He has pitched in 26 complete games. He has two 20 win seasons, including one in 2011 with the Tigers. He remains grateful for his time there, where he says he got an education in pitching.
“I learned a lot,” Verlander added. “Before analytics, that was one of the things that I'm thankful for is having the opportunity to pitch back then, and when I say pitch, I mean, just go figure it out. Figure out how to be successful. Figure out how to work through a lineup a bunch of times. Read swings. Do all that. It's something that I still lean on heavily, even though I have all this wealth of information, as far as analytics go. I feel like I can quickly adapt away from stuff or towards different game plans just based on what I'm seeing and feeling. That was something I just had to learn.”
The Astros and Tigers face off on Saturday, at 6:10 Eastern. The Verlander start on Sunday is scheduled for 1:40 Eastern.