Updated 12:23 AM EDT, Fri, Mar 29, 2024

Justin Verlander on Kate Upton Nude Photos: 'The focus for me is on the Detroit Tigers'

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After keeping mum on the issue for several days, Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander finally commented on the leaked nude photos of him and beau Kate Upton on Tuesday--although his statement was essentially a non-comment on the naked photos circulated online since Sunday.

"I'm not going to comment on my personal life... I never have, and I never plan on it. I keep my personal life personal," Verlander said at his team's clubhouse, as quoted by USA Today.

Verlander appeared naked in a viral photo with his Sports Illustrated model of a girlfriend, Breitbart explained. In other photos, the couple is seen "in several states of undress," USA Today added.

Timely for an upcoming game versus the Cleveland Indians, Verlander said: "The focus for me is on the Detroit Tigers. I don't want to take any focus away from this team and what we're trying to accomplish."

"We're in the middle of a pennant race. We're trying to win a pennant. And all of my focus currently is on doing whatever I can to help our team win our division," the right-hander added, as quoted by USA Today.

This would seem disparate with Upton's response, which according to SB Nation, is in the from of a legal action. In fact, the 31-year-old boyfriend insisted that the scandal will not affect his on-field performance, which is noticeably poorer of late.

Even before the scandal, the six-time All-Star had a season record of 4.68 ERA in 27 starts and is two batters down from last year in his stikeout rate of 6.9 batters per nine innings. He is on his worst season since 2008, SB Nation said.

But the athlete begs to disagree. "I've always been able to do that," Verlander said, as quoted by the report. "This is my life. Baseball is my life ... I'm probably more at home [on the mound] than anywhere."

Verlander's comments did not especially address the extremely personal photos leaked online, including one where he and his model girlfriend are butt-naked, the Associated Press noted in a story available on CBC Sports.

He said, "I know a couple of guys wanted to get some questions from me yesterday ... Instead of everybody kind of sneaking around and getting questions at specific times, it's just easier to say, 'I'm not commenting on that. I'm trying to win a pennant.'"

The issue will put to the test the American League MVP's skill of compartmentalizing his career and distractions, the AP commented. He bears a 12-11 record going into the Indians match on Wednesday.

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