Detroit Tigers announced right‑hander Justin Verlander will start Sunday’s home game against the Chicago White Sox, his first appearance at Comerica Park since being traded in 2017. Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed the move Tuesday, noting the 43‑year‑old veteran returns from an IL stint for left‑hip inflammation. Verlander’s lone 2026 start yielded five runs in 3⅔ innings versus Arizona, and hopes to spark a late‑season surge.

Verlander, a three‑time Cy Young winner and 2011 AL MVP, posted a 266‑159 career record and helped Houston capture two World Series titles, including his debut season in 2017. Detroit also listed shortstop Colt Keith on the IL with a sore right wrist; Keith had just belted three homers in a 9‑3 win over the Astros, a feat unmatched since Al Kaline in 1955.

The decision to slot Verlander into the rotation signals Detroit’s urgency to bolster a staff plagued by injuries as they chase a playoff berth. With the Tigers hovering near the AL Central’s wild‑card line, his veteran presence could stabilize the rotation. Verlander will take the mound Sunday, and the outcome will directly affect Detroit’s standing.