Clayton Kershaw’s Career Is Officially Over After Getting Axed By Team USA At World Baseball Classic

Clayton Kershaw’s legendary baseball career is officially over. For real, this time.

Last September, Kershaw announced that he would retire after the 2025 season. The Los Angeles Dodgers went on to beat the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series, allowing Kershaw to go out on top as a champion.

Kershaw agreed to join Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. But after zero appearances (he suited up for an exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies), Kershaw has officially retired.

Per MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, Kershaw was removed from Team USA’s roster and replaced with Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman. The Jays’ closer takes over Kershaw’s spot ahead of Sunday’s semifinal showdown with the Dominican Republic.

Here’s what he said:

“Being around this group is a fun way to end it, honestly. I got to know some of these guys that are kind of the faces of the game moving forward, and I got to meet them and watch them up close. It’s been a blessing.”

Kershaw had planned to pitch for the Americans in the 2023 WBC, but wound up voluntarily removing himself from the roster.

Clayton Kershaw Walks Away As One Of The All-Time Greats