Justin Verlander wants to run it back for one more year.
The 41-year-old Astros pitcher had a rough season in 2024, as he battled multiple injuries and then struggled upon returning in August.
Nonetheless, Verlander told reporters Wednesday that he still has some fuel left in the tank following the Astros being eliminated by the Tigers in the wild-card round.
“I think I do feel like I have a lot more to give pitching-wise,” Verlander said. “This year was a tough year. Learned a lot from it.”
Verlander, who was traded from the Mets to the Astros last year, is a free agent this offseason.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner had a $35 million player option for next year that didn’t vest because he didn’t hit the requisite 140 innings pitched in 2024.
He first suffered a shoulder injury that delayed the start of his season and then returned to the IL in June with neck discomfort.
“I’ve talked to you guys about how I was feeling coming back and how I needed to push the issue a bit. Kind of a weird injury in the neck,” he told reporters this week. “Tried as best I could to get out there and be an asset to help this team in October but wasn’t able to do it.”
Verlander was 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA in 17 starts this season.
Things really unraveled for him when he returned from his neck injury in late August as he gave up 30 runs in 33 1/3 innings across 10 starts, and Houston left him off its postseason roster.
“Obviously, wasn’t pitching well enough to be a part of this series,” Verlander said. “But having an offseason to kind of get things right, I definitely feel like I want to continue to pitch and compete. And I’m not ready to step away yet.”
The Astros were swept, 2-0, by the Tigers, who now face the Guardians in the ALDS.