Clayton Kershaw Retires After Leaving WBC Roster

The longtime Dodgers ace was replaced on Team USA's World Baseball Classic roster ahead of the semifinal game.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 7:20pm

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Clayton Kershaw's professional baseball career has officially come to an end. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was replaced on Team USA's World Baseball Classic roster by Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman ahead of Sunday's semifinal game against the Dominican Republic. Kershaw, who retired after the Dodgers' World Series run in 2025, did not pitch in any of the Americans' five WBC games, though he did pitch against the Rockies in a pre-tournament exhibition.

Why it matters

Kershaw's retirement marks the end of an era for the Dodgers and Major League Baseball. As one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation, Kershaw's departure leaves a significant void in the sport and raises questions about the future of the Dodgers' pitching staff.

The details

Kershaw was seen hanging out in the bullpen during Friday night's quarterfinal win over Canada, even getting tossed a beer from outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. The three-time Cy Young Award winner said the atmosphere of being part of something on an international stage was special, and that he was 'definitely glad' he joined the WBC squad. Kershaw's final appearance will go down as the one-out relief appearance he made during the Dodgers' 18-inning win in Game 3 of the 2025 World Series.

  • Kershaw officially retired after the Dodgers' World Series run in 2025.
  • Kershaw pitched against the Rockies in a pre-tournament exhibition on March 4, 2026.
  • Kershaw was seen in the bullpen during Team USA's quarterfinal win over Canada on March 17, 2026.

The players

Clayton Kershaw

A three-time Cy Young Award winner and longtime ace of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who officially retired after the 2025 season.

Jeff Hoffman

A relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, who replaced Kershaw on Team USA's World Baseball Classic roster.

Mark DeRosa

The manager of Team USA's World Baseball Classic squad.

Pete Crow-Armstrong

An outfielder for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

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What they’re saying

“I'm definitely glad I did it. Being around this group is a fun way to end it, honestly. I got to know some of these guys that are kind of the faces of the game moving forward, and I got to meet them and watch them up close. It's been a blessing.”

— Clayton Kershaw (MLB.com)

“You know, it's a bucket-list thing for me. I've wanted to do this for a while.”

— Clayton Kershaw (MLB.com)

What’s next

Kershaw's retirement leaves a significant void in the Dodgers' pitching staff and the sport of baseball as a whole. The team will need to find a way to replace his production and leadership on the mound.

The takeaway

Clayton Kershaw's retirement marks the end of an era for the Dodgers and Major League Baseball. As one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation, Kershaw's departure will be felt throughout the sport, and his legacy as a three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series champion will cement his place as one of the all-time greats.