It came as a surprise to no one when soon-to-be (on March 19) 38-year-old Dodgers future first-ballot Hall of Fame left-hander Clayton Kershaw announced that he was both flattered and honored to be added to the 2026 Team USA World Baseball Classic roster in what he called a “Break glass in case of emergency” role.
It came as an ever lesser surprise when it was announced on Friday that the recently retired Dallas, TX native and Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2006 out of Highland Park High School in Dallas had been removed from the Team USA roster.
Although there was no official word as to why and even more so who would do such a thing, the answer is obvious and abundantly clear. It was Kershaw who had removed himself from the 2026 Team USA roster so that someone else could be added to the extremely coveted roster in his stead.
While this is certainly not to say that Kershaw isn’t (wasn’t) deserving of the prestigious roster spot, it is so Clayton Kershaw-like. By removing himself from the roster, the 18-year MLB veteran (that’s not a typo) opened up a spot on the Team USA roster for well-deserving 33-year-old Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman.
Although no longer on the official Team USA roster, Kershaw said that he will remain with the team for the duration of the contest.
Just Kershaw being Kershaw.
Play Ball!
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