Dodgers Legend Clayton Kershaw Retires After 16 Seasons

The three-time Cy Young winner cites physical toll as reason for stepping away from the game.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 8:55pm

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Legendary Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw has announced his retirement after 16 seasons in Major League Baseball. Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, cited the physical toll of the game as the primary reason for his decision, noting that it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to get his body ready for each new season. The 37-year-old is retiring as a back-to-back World Series champion with the Dodgers.

Why it matters

Kershaw is considered one of the greatest pitchers of his generation, having dominated the league for over a decade with his pinpoint control and devastating curveball. His retirement marks the end of an era for the Dodgers franchise, which has relied on Kershaw's excellence as the anchor of their pitching staff for the majority of his career.

The details

Kershaw posted a 3.36 ERA and threw 112 2/3 innings last season, the second-most on the team behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto. However, he acknowledged that it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to get his body ready for each new season, with his fastball velocity dipping to the low 80s during offseason bullpen sessions. Kershaw said he ultimately decided that this past offseason was the right time to walk away, as his arm was telling him it was time to retire.

  • Kershaw announced in September 2025 that the 2025 season would be his last.
  • Kershaw will pitch for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, which will be his final act in the spotlight.

The players

Clayton Kershaw

A legendary pitcher who spent his entire 16-year MLB career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, winning three Cy Young Awards and two World Series championships.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

A starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who led the team in innings pitched in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Every offseason, when you go and throw bullpens, and you're throwing 82, 83 (mph), and you're like, 'Man, I don't know if I'm gonna be able to get to 90 this year. Keep going with that route every offseason, and then finally, this past offseason, I was like, 'You know what? This feels like it's the right time. This is just getting so much harder to gear up and go.'”

— Clayton Kershaw

What’s next

Kershaw will pitch for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, which will be his final act in the spotlight before officially retiring.

The takeaway

Kershaw's retirement marks the end of an era for the Dodgers franchise, as the three-time Cy Young winner has been the backbone of their pitching staff for the majority of his illustrious 16-year career. His decision to walk away now, while still performing at a high level, is a testament to his self-awareness and the physical toll the game has taken on his body over the years.