When the 2025 World Series ended, Clayton Kershaw was warming up in the bullpen, ready to enter the game in relief for the Dodgers if the extra-inning Game 7 continued. The game-ending double play seemed to end Kershaw’s career.
But he’s not done yet.
USA Baseball announced on Thursday that Kershaw will pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic this spring.
During an interview on MLB Network, Kershaw said he was contacted by Mark DeRosa, Team USA’s manager, recently.
“I missed his call and he left a message, ‘Hey, call me about the WBC,’” Kershaw said. “I thought he wanted me to coach. I thought, ‘Yeah, I’d love to coach or help out or do whatever.’ Then he mentioned playing again. I’m going to be honest – I didn’t have a whole lot of interest in picking up a baseball again. But I started throwing 10, 12 days ago and it doesn’t feel terrible so I think I’ll be okay.”
Kershaw has never pitched in the WBC though he was selected for the Team USA roster in 2023. He had to pass on the opportunity for insurance reasons. With no contract to protect this time, insurance is not an issue.
“I’m so excited. It’s going to be so fun,” Kershaw said. “I wanted to do this a few years ago but I was too broken for the insurance to cover my arm and everything. Now that it doesn’t matter I’m able to go and join the most unbelievable group of teammates and guys. I’m just so excited. It’s going to be so fun.”
Kershaw said he considers himself an “insurance policy” on a Team USA pitching staff that is expected to include both reigning Cy Young Award winners — Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes.
“If anyone needs a breather or they want me to pitch back to back to back or if they don’t need me to pitch at all – I just want to be there. I just want to be part of this group,” Kershaw said. “I learned a long time ago you just want to be a part of great things. This team seems like a really fun awesome group.”
The prospect of a showdown with Dodger teammate Shohei Ohtani is not something Kershaw sees in the cards, though.
“I think something will have gone terribly wrong if I have to pitch against Team Japan in the finals or something,” Kershaw said of the three-time WBC champions. “I think we’ve got plenty of guys to get that guy out. Not me. But if that happens, I’ll be nervous.”
Kershaw (who will turn 38 years old during the tournament) announced his retirement last September, finishing an 18-year career that will undoubtedly land him in the Hall of Fame. His last appearance for the Dodgers came in the 12th inning of Game 3 during the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Kershaw retired Nathan Lukes on a ground ball to second base to escape a bases-loaded situation. The Dodgers eventually won the game in the 18th inning.
Team USA is scheduled to start play in the WBC on March 6 against Brazil at Daikin Park in Houston. Dodgers catcher Will Smith is also on the Team USA roster.