Verlander will take the final step on the Tigers' home court to witness the "last dance" of his career.

Weiland. (File photo, Associated Press)

[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] Justin Verlander, the 43-year-old star pitcher who will retire after the season this year, will start against the Pirates on September 26, US time (27th Taiwan time). This will be Verlander's last time on the court at Comerica Park, home of the Tigers. Taiwanese star Li Haoyu, who is also a Tigers teammate, will witness the "last dance" of Verlander's career.

Verlander has a 21-year career in the major leagues, 14 of which were with the Tigers, the Mets, and the Giants. He helped the Astros win two World Series championships during his seven-year tenure with the Astros. He won the American League strikeout king five times in his career, won the American League Cy Young Award three times, won the American League wins in pitches four times, and won the American League's defensive rating twice. Verlander won the American League pitching Triple Crown in 2011 and won the American League MVP that year.

Please read on...

Verlander, who returned to the Tigers this year, was sidelined due to inflammation of his left hip at the end of March. He recently suffered a left hamstring strain. He only played one game in the major leagues all season, allowing five runs in only 3.2 innings, swallowing one loss, and an ERA of 12.27.

"Obviously, it's very frustrating. This is not the direction I originally imagined the season would go." Verlander admitted in an interview. "Honestly, I never thought this would be my last season, but that's how it happened. Throughout the year, I realized that I just couldn't get back on the court. It was really hard, but I have accepted it now and feel relieved about the current situation."

Verlander said, "I don't just want to go out there and pitch an inning and then come out and wave it off, I want to get on the mound again, pitch in a competitive environment, and try to help the Detroit Tigers win a game."

Verlander played 556 games in the major leagues during his career, accumulating 266 wins and 159 losses, an average ERA of 3.33, and 3,554 strikeouts, which ranked eighth in the history of the major leagues.