Kershaw Guaranteed Spot on Team USA's WBC Roster

Despite struggles in exhibition, Dodgers legend will pitch in World Baseball Classic tournament

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Despite struggling in an exhibition match, it is all but guaranteed that Los Angeles Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw will pitch for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Kershaw, who recently retired from MLB after an 18-year career, is the only retired pitcher on a WBC roster and is expected to play a role early on in the tournament, even if it's just to eat innings in a mop-up role.

Why it matters

Kershaw's appearance in the WBC will give fans one more chance to see the future Hall of Famer pitch before he officially retires. Team USA is the favorite to win the entire tournament, and Kershaw's experience and leadership will be valuable, even if he doesn't see significant playing time.

The details

Kershaw took the mound for Team USA in an exhibition match against the Colorado Rockies, but struggled, allowing a walk and a home run in just 2/3 of an inning. Despite this, USA manager Mark DeRosa says Kershaw will definitely pitch sometime in the tournament, even if it's just in a mop-up role to eat innings.

  • Kershaw announced his retirement from MLB after winning the World Series.
  • Kershaw is appearing in the WBC for the first time after an 18-year career with the Dodgers.
  • Kershaw's exhibition outing against the Rockies took place on March 5, 2026.

The players

Clayton Kershaw

A future Hall of Fame pitcher who spent his entire 18-year MLB career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, winning three Cy Young awards and three World Series championships.

Mark DeRosa

The manager of Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

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What they’re saying

“He is the only retired pitcher on a World Baseball Classic roster. The moment the public address announcer at Salt River Fields called out his name as he walked to the mound, he received a thunderous standing ovation by the sellout crowd of 11,803.”

— Bob Nightengale, USA Today reporter (USA Today)

“If my outing Wednesday was the last time I step on the mound, it was worth it.”

— Clayton Kershaw (USA Today)

What’s next

Team USA will play four pool games in five days in Houston, and Kershaw is expected to pitch in at least one of those games, even if it's just in a mop-up role.

The takeaway

Kershaw's appearance in the WBC will give fans one final chance to see the legendary pitcher in action before he retires, and his experience and leadership will be valuable for a Team USA squad that is favored to win the entire tournament.