Clayton Kershaw will pitch for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, almost four months after announcing his retirement after an 18-season career in the Major Leagues, all with the Dodgers, USA Baseball announced this Thursday.
Kershaw announced on September 18 that he would retire at the end of the season.
His last appearance with the Dodgers was in Game 3 of the World Series, relieving Emmet Sheehan with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the twelfth inning, with the Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays tied 5-5.
Kershaw got Nathan Lukes to hit a grounder to second baseman Tommy Edman on eight pitches, preserving the tie in the game that the Dodgers won 6-5 on Freddie Freeman’s home run leading off the bottom of the 18th inning.
Kershaw has not pitched in the World Baseball Classic. He was selected for the US team in the 2023 tournament, but had to withdraw due to insurance issues.
Kershaw has played for a United States national team. He was a member of the 2005 national under-18 team that placed second at the Pan American Championships.
The United States will begin its participation in the World Baseball Classic on March 6 against Brazil at Daikin Park in Houston.
This story was translated from English with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool. A Telemundo Digital editor reviewed the translation.
