Justin Verlander has triggered a conditional $25 million player option in his contract with the Houston Astros.

Verlander did so by crossing the 130-inning threshold in last Thursday's start against the Cleveland Guardians.

"I wasn't pitching to get to 130 innings," he said. "When we were doing the contract, [Astros owner] Jim [Crane] told me they wanted 130 innings for my player option. I was asking for a straight player option and they said they'd like 130 innings, and that was that. I thought that was a very fair number the way I like to pitch."

Verlander, 39, will now have the choice to return to the Astros for $25 million or to decline and test free agency. He has a 1.73 ERA this season.