Clayton Kershaw is back-at least for one more ride.
Just a couple of months after calling it a career, the longtime Dodgers ace is suiting up again, this time for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. It’s a move that caught just about everyone off guard, including Kershaw himself. But for fans of the game, it’s a welcome encore from one of the most respected arms of his generation.
Kershaw had wrapped up his 2025 season-and what was presumed to be his final one-with the kind of farewell tour that legends earn. He battled through injuries to stay in the Dodgers’ rotation through the end of the regular season, even shifting to the bullpen for a few postseason appearances. And when the Dodgers capped it all off with a World Series title, Kershaw’s last moments on the field were soaked in celebration, surrounded by family and embraced by the game he gave so much to.
So when news broke that he’d be joining Team USA, it came as a surprise. After all, this was a pitcher who had already taken his final bow, who’d spent the last few years managing wear and tear with the grace of a veteran who knew his limits. But Kershaw isn’t coming back to dominate or chase numbers-he’s coming back to be part of something special.
“I’m so excited-it’s going to be so much fun,” Kershaw said on MLB Network. “When DeRosa approached me about being part of this team, I had wanted to do it a few years ago, but I was too broken for the insurance to cover my arm and everything.”
That reference to Mark DeRosa, Team USA’s manager, is telling. This isn’t about ego or spotlight for Kershaw.
He’s not looking to reclaim a rotation spot or prove he’s still got it. He’s coming in as a veteran presence, a safety net, and maybe even a spark of inspiration for a clubhouse full of stars.
“I just want to be the insurance policy,” Kershaw continued. “If anybody needs a breather, or if they need me to pitch back-to-back-to-back, or if they don’t need me to pitch at all-I’m just there to be there.
I just want to be a part of this group. I learned a long time ago that you just want to be part of great things.”
It’s classic Kershaw. Humble, team-first, and still in love with the game.
He even admitted that when DeRosa first called, he assumed it was about a coaching role. “Then he mentioned playing again,” Kershaw said, “and I’m gonna be honest, I didn’t have a whole lot of interest in picking up a baseball again.
But I started throwing 10-12 days ago, and it doesn’t feel terrible. So I think I’ll be OK.”
That “doesn’t feel terrible” is vintage Kershaw understatement. For a guy who’s spent much of the last few seasons managing pain and navigating rehab, just being able to throw again without discomfort is a small victory.
Whether he ends up pitching meaningful innings or just takes the mound for a ceremonial moment, one thing’s for sure-baseball fans will get to see that iconic 12-6 curveball windup at least once more. And for a player who’s given everything to the game, it’s a fitting final chapter.
Kershaw may have already had his farewell, but this is something else entirely. This is a chance to be part of a team, to wear the red, white, and blue, and to share the dugout with some of the game’s best-one more time.
And for fans, it’s a gift. One more glimpse of a legend doing what he loves.