Verlander and Jim Crane, the owner of the Houston Astros, each had interest in Verlander returning to Houston for the 2025 season. But when president of baseball operations Buster Posey approached Verlander about joining the Giants, the Astros weren’t in a position to extend Verlander an offer. So, to San Francisco the future Hall of Famer went.

Justin Verlander made his first start for the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, March 29, where he allowed six hits and two runs in five innings while taking a no-decision. Before this year, Verlander spent parts of seven seasons with the Houston Astros and recently said he considered a reunion.

Justin Verlander said there was “mutual interest” about a potential reunion with the Houston Astros this offseason before the future Hall of Fame starter signed his free-agent deal with the San Francisco Giants.

Verlander isn't sure about his future plaque in Cooperstown: "You don’t know how things will play out with me and Detroit in the future."

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As San Francisco Giants closer Ryan Walker deals with a back injury, the door has opened for Camilo Doval's seamless return to his closer role.