1 of 5 | Los Angeles Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw will pitch for Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Retired Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw will suit up for Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, USA Baseball announced Thursday.
Kershaw, who withdrew from the 2023 tournament due to insurance issues, will make his debut in the competition. The 2026 World Baseball Classic will be held from March 5 through 17 in Miami, Houston, Tokyo and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Kershaw announced in September that he would retire after the 2025 MLB season. The 11-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 National League MVP spent his entire 18-year career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kershaw won World Series with the Dodgers in 2020 and 2025.
The 37-year-old left-handed pitcher went 11-2 with a 3.36 ERA over 23 appearances last season. His 2.53 ERA and 15 shutouts were the best career marks among active players last season.
Kershaw’s 6.912 hits per nine innings pitched ranks sixth in MLB history. His career .699 win-loss percentage is the fourth best in history.
Kershaw will jin a Team USA pitching staff that also features Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Joe Ryan, Gabe Speier and Logan Webb. Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Cal Raleigh are among the top hitters on the Team USA roster.
New Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman also announced Thursday that he will join the Team USA roster. Speier and Jax were added to the bullpen on Wednesday. Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton joined the team Monday.
Team USA pitchers are expected to be on pitch counts because the World Baseball Classic takes place during spring training.
The Americans will face the San Francisco Giants in two exhibition games March 3 and 4 in Scottsdale, Ariz. They will battle Brazil in their tournament opener March 6 in Houston. The World Baseball Classic finale will be held March 17 in Miami.
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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (C) celebrates with teammates after the Dodgers defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings in Game 7 to win the World Series in Toronto on November 1, 2025. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
