"Former Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw made a shocking move Thursday, deciding to participate for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and revealed the role he expects to take on during the tournament. Kershaw retired from MLB at the end of the 2025 season, but announced he would join Team USA's pitching staff in March. In the tournament, Kershaw expects to be used out of the bullpen - just as he was in the postseason."
"He went on to make two more relief appearances for the Dodgers in the postseason, allowing four earned runs through 2.1 innings pitched. Kershaw also commented on potentially facing former teammate and reigning MVP Shohei Ohtani, which he hasn't had to do since the two-way star came to LA. "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 retired from MLB at the end of the 2025 season and will join Team USA's pitching staff for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He expects to pitch out of the bullpen, mirroring his postseason role with the Dodgers. Kershaw made only four relief appearances in 455 regular-season outings and made one relief appearance in 2025, a scoreless inning late in the regular season. He added two relief appearances in the 2025 postseason, allowing four earned runs. Kershaw finished 2025 with a 3.36 ERA, surpassed 3,000 career strikeouts, and said he will not pitch to Shohei Ohtani in any meaningful game.
Read at Dodgers Nation
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