Justin Verlander agrees to deal with NL team

Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander speaks with the media. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Verlander is headed back to the National League.

Verlander agreed to a 1-year contract with the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports. The deal is pending a physical.

ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reports that the contract is worth $15 million.

Verlander made 17 starts with the Houston Astros last season. The right-hander was knocked around a bit and went 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA. He struck out 74 batters and walked 27 in 90 1/3 innings.

The 41-year-old Verlander missed nearly two months in the middle of the season after he suffered a neck injury. He struggled upon returning and admitted that he may have come back from the injury too quickly. Verlander was left off of Houston’s playoff roster, and the Astros lost to the Detroit Tigers in the Wild Card round.

Verlander returned from Tommy John surgery in 2022 and won his third AL Cy Young Award while leading the Astros to a World Series title. The nine-time All-Star won two World Series with Houston.

Verlander signed a 2-year, $86.7 million deal with the New York Mets ahead of the 2023 season. He made just 16 starts for the team before being traded back to Houston at the 2023 deadline.

The Giants finished 80-82 last season and have missed the playoffs for three straight years. Verlander will turn 42 next month, but he has repeatedly defied odds through the latter part of his career. The Giants are hoping he can do so again with them.