"With Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Joe Ryan and Logan Webb solidifying the rotation, it is safe to assume Kershaw's role will be out of the bullpen. It is a role he has experience in from the end of the Dodgers' 2025 season. He made the Dodgers' postseason roster in three of the four rounds in a reliever role. The left-hander made two separate appearances, which included recording the final out in the 12th inning of Game 3 of the World Series to escape a bases-loaded jam."
"The semifinal round is the earliest these two sides could meet for a rematch in 2026, but Kershaw doesn't anticipate he'll be in the game to face Ohtani at any point, according to Andy McCullough of The Athletic: "I am not going to pitch to Shohei in any meaningful game," Kershaw said. "I'll tell you that right now. He would hit it so far off me right now.""
Clayton Kershaw was named to Team USA's 2026 World Baseball Classic roster, marking his first participation after withdrawing from the 2023 tournament due to inability to secure an insurance policy. With Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Joe Ryan and Logan Webb anchoring the rotation, Kershaw is expected to pitch out of the bullpen, a role he used late in the Dodgers' 2025 season. He made multiple postseason relief appearances in 2025, including recording the final out of the 12th inning of World Series Game 3 to escape a bases-loaded jam. Shohei Ohtani will again play for Japan, and an earliest potential meeting would come in the semifinals. Kershaw does not anticipate pitching to Ohtani in a meaningful game, and Team USA has other late-inning options such as Garrett Cleavinger, Mason Miller and Gabe Speier.
Read at Dodger Blue
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