Kershaw Exits Team USA Roster, Joe Ryan Set to Step In for World Baseball Classic

In a surprising turn of events, retired Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw will not remain on the Team USA roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Manager Mark DeRosa announced on Thursday that Kershaw, who has yet to pitch in the tournament, will be replaced by Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan following Friday’s quarterfinal matchup against Canada.

Kershaw, 37, shocked the baseball community when he declared his intention to pitch for Team USA despite announcing his retirement from MLB in September. However, the veteran left-hander has been sidelined during the tournament, as Team USA advanced to the quarterfinals after a narrow victory by Team Italy over Mexico on Wednesday.

Although Kershaw has not taken the mound in any of the four games played, he will have one last chance to contribute in Friday’s game. After that, Ryan will step in, and should the U.S. advance to the championship game, he may be called upon to start.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers of his generation, Kershaw’s final seasons with the Dodgers showcased his enduring talent, posting a 3.36 ERA over 112 2/3 innings in 2025. Despite a declining strikeout rate and an increasing walk rate, he remained a pivotal part of the team, although he found himself largely sidelined during the playoffs. In the Dodgers’ postseason run, Kershaw only appeared in two of the team’s 17 games, where he struggled in his first outing against the Philadelphia Phillies but redeemed himself with a crucial out against the Toronto Blue Jays in a marathon Game 3 of the World Series.

Following the Dodgers’ second World Series win during his tenure, Kershaw confirmed his retirement from MLB. While his decision to join Team USA in January raised eyebrows, he made it clear that he had no intentions of returning to the major leagues this season.

Ryan, who was initially slated to be part of the Team USA roster, faced a setback due to a back injury early in spring training. His imminent addition to the roster signals a positive recovery, as the 29-year-old has consistently delivered strong performances over his five seasons with the Twins, boasting a career 3.79 ERA and 719 strikeouts across 641 1/3 innings.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.