(Audacy) Right-hander and two-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander is staying in Houston.
Verlander will re-sign with the Astros, his brother Ben tweeted Wednesday afternoon. The news came after reports that several teams -- including the White Sox -- were had serious interest in him.
Verlander will return to the Astros on a one-year deal worth $25 million, according to Mark Berman of Fox 26. Verlander rejected the one-year, $18.4-million qualifying offer from the Astros earlier in the day. Verlander felt a sense of loyalty to the Astros and owner Jim Crane in making his decision to remain in Houston, Audacy MLB insider Jon Heyman reported.
Verlander, who turns 39 in February, has pitched in just one game over the last two years, including missing all of 2021 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
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Verlander did win the Cy Young in 2019 in his last healthy season, and if he can return anywhere close to that form, he'll give the Astros a much-needed boost to their starting rotation, especially with the likely departure of Zach Greinke.
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