Challenges in the Life of Justin Verlander in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Justin Verlander faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Justin Verlander is a highly accomplished American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the San Francisco Giants. His illustrious career includes stints with the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, and New York Mets. Verlander's achievements include three Cy Young Awards, an AL MVP Award, and two World Series championships. Widely regarded as one of the best pitchers in the history of baseball, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill and dominance throughout his career.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2008: Led MLB in Losses

In 2008, Justin Verlander led MLB in losses with 17, finishing the season with an 11-17 win-loss record and a 4.84 ERA.

2012: World Series Performance

During the 2012 World Series, Justin Verlander pitched in Game 1 against the San Francisco Giants, giving up five earned runs in four innings. He allowed two home runs to Pablo Sandoval, and the Tigers were eventually swept in the Series.

2012: Cy Young Award Voting

Following the 2016 season, Justin Verlander finished second in Cy Young voting, losing to Rick Porcello by five points, 132-137, in what was the second-closest vote in history (to the 2012 AL Cy Young race Verlander lost).

2013: ALCS Elimination and Postseason Stats

The Red Sox, the eventual World Series champions, eliminated the Tigers in six ALCS games in 2013. During the 2013 postseason, Justin Verlander had a 1-1 record with a 0.39 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 23 innings pitched. In two of his starts, the Tigers scored no runs.

January 9, 2014: Core Muscle Surgery

On January 9, 2014, Justin Verlander underwent core muscle surgery. The Tigers initially projected that Verlander might miss Opening Day.

2014: Struggles in the First Half

Justin Verlander struggled in the first half of 2014. His strikeouts decreased to 6.8 per nine innings pitched, compared to an average of 9.2 over the previous five years. His ERA and WHIP in the first half of the 2014 season were also elevated to 4.71 and 1.49, respectively. He was not selected for the AL All-Star team.

2015: Disabled List Placement

Justin Verlander started the 2015 season on the disabled list due to a right triceps strain, ending his streak of seven consecutive Opening Day starts for the Tigers. It was his first time on the DL in his major league career, following 298 starts and 1,978 innings pitched.

2018: Recovery from Core Surgery

In 2018, Justin Verlander mentioned that he had not fully recovered from the core surgery he underwent during the 2014 season, which contributed to his production being inferior to his career norms.

2019: Postseason Record

During game 2 of the 2019 World Series, Justin Verlander recorded the 200th postseason strikeout of his career, setting a new major league record. He also became the first pitcher in major league history to lose his first five World Series decisions.

March 17, 2020: Groin Surgery in 2020

On March 17, 2020, Justin Verlander underwent surgery on his right groin, requiring six weeks to recover. This coincided with the season delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 26, 2020: Shut Down with Forearm Strain

On July 26, 2020, Justin Verlander was shut down with a forearm strain.

September 30, 2020: Tommy John Surgery

Justin Verlander confirmed he would undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of the 2020 season and all of 2021. He underwent the surgery on September 30, 2020.

2020: First Time Since Opening Day 2020

Having not recorded a statistic in 2021, Verlander made his way back on April 9, 2022, against the Los Angeles Angels, for the first time since Opening Day 2020.

2020: Injury

Justin Verlander missed most of the 2020 season due to injury.

February 27, 2021: Placed on 60-Day Injured List

On February 27, 2021, the Astros placed Justin Verlander on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from Tommy John surgery. He missed the entire 2021 season.

2021: Missed 2021

Having not recorded a statistic in 2021, Verlander made his way back on April 9, 2022, against the Los Angeles Angels, for the first time since Opening Day 2020.

2021: Expected to Miss 2021 Season

In 2020, it was announced that Justin Verlander would undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the remainder of the 2020 season and all of the 2021 season, keeping him sidelined through the end of his contract extension with the Astros.

March 30, 2023: Verlander Placed on Injured List

On March 30, 2023, the New York Mets announced that Justin Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a low-grade teres major strain, retroactive to March 28.

2024: Verlander's 2024 Season Debut and Strikeout Milestone

Justin Verlander began the 2024 season on the injured list and made his debut on April 19, pitching six innings in a win against the Washington Nationals. During the game, Verlander passed Phil Niekro for 12th place on the all-time strikeout list.