Retired Kershaw to pitch for Team USA at WBC

Clayton Kershaw's baseball journey isn't over yet.

The left-hander retired from Major League Baseball at the end of the 2025 season after 18 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the pitcher will represent the United States at the World Baseball Classic.

Kershaw told MLB Network he accepted the offer from Team USA manager Mark DeRosa after he started throwing 10-12 days ago and didn't "feel terrible," according to Jack Harris of the California Post.

"If anybody needs a breather, or if they need me to pitch back-to-back-to-back, or if they don't need me to pitch at all, I'm just there to be there," Kershaw added, according to Harris. "I just want to be part of this group. I learned a long time ago, you just want to be part of great things. And this team seems like a really fun, awesome group."

This will be Kershaw's first time pitching at the WBC. The 37-year-old was slated to play for his country in 2023 but withdrew at the last minute due to a reported issue with an insurance policy related to a previous back injury.

Kershaw pitched his last regular-season game Sept. 28 against the Seattle Mariners, striking out seven across 5 1/3 innings. He returned to pitch 1/3 of an inning in the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays before officially retiring a champion.

The future Hall of Famer is considered one of the best left-handed starters of all time after winning an NL MVP, three Cy Youngs, five ERA titles, and a Triple Crown.