Clayton Kershaw named to Team USA roster for 2026 World Baseball Classic

The sand has not, in fact, run out on the baseball hour glass that is Clayton Kershaw’s career.

The Highland Park product, who recently concluded his MLB retirement tour, was announced Thursday as a roster member for the United States team participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

This will mark the Dodgers legend’s first time participating in the Classic, as he had to withdraw from the 2023 edition.

The 37-year-old left-hander just completed his 18th major league season, all with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which ties him with Zack Wheat and Bill Russell for the most years in franchise history.

Rangers

Among the major accolades in his career, Kershaw recorded his 3,000th career strikeout in July, and the 11-time All-Star and 2014 NL MVP won World Series championships with Los Angeles in 2020 and 2024.

Team USA is scheduled to open the WBC on March 6 at Daikin Park in Houston against Brazil. The tournament runs through March 16.

Here is what Team USA looks like so far, with final rosters set to be released in early February:

C: Cal Raleigh, Will Smith

1B: Bryce Harper

2B: Brice Turang

SS: Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson

3B: Ernie Clement

OF: Byron Buxton, Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Aaron Judge

DH: Kyle Schwarber

P: David Bednar, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Clayton Kershaw, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Joe Ryan, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Gabe Speier, Logan Webb

Two Texas Rangers, one veteran and one youngster, appear on MLB Network’s top 100 players