Clayton Kershaw, Alex Bregman to Play in WBC, USA's Updated Roster for 2026

Clayton Kershaw isn't hanging up the cleats just yet.

While the Los Angeles Dodgers legend retired after the 2025 MLB season, Team USA announced he will be part of the squad for the 2026 World Baseball Classic:

Kershaw spoke to Andy McCullough of The Athletic about his decision to play for Team USA, saying, "Why not?"

"I am throwing just enough to make it for 10 days," Kershaw said. "I'm not pitching this season — so I figured this is the perfect time to try the WBC. I really want to be a part of it."

Kershaw also joked he wouldn't pitch to Dodgers teammate Shohei Ohtani in any "meaningful game," telling McCullough, "He would hit it so far off me right now."

He wasn't the only notable player to join the Americans, as the newest member of the Chicago Cubs in Alex Bregman will also be on the team:

Here is a look at the roster following the additions of Kershaw and Bregman:

Catchers: Cal Raleigh, Will Smith
Infielders: Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, Brice Turang, Bryce Harper, Ernie Clement, Alex Bregman
Outfielders: Aaron Judge, Byron Buxton, Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong
Designated Hitter: Kyle Schwarber
Starting Pitchers: Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Joe Ryan, Logan Webb, Matthew Boyd, Clay Holmes, Nolan McLean, Clayton Kershaw
Relief Pitchers: Mason Miller, David Bednar, Griffin Jax, Garrett Whitlock, Garrett Cleavinger, Gabe Speier

With starting pitchers such as Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal leading the way, Team USA surely won't ask the 37-year-old Kershaw to anchor the rotation like he may have when he was at his peak.

Even the Dodgers didn't ask much of him this past playoff run, as he pitched just 2.1 innings in relief during the team's postseason march to a second straight championship.

Still, the southpaw will be a veteran presence for the club with a chance to add a World Baseball Classic title to an already legendary resume that includes two World Series titles, a National League MVP, three NL Cy Young awards, a pitching Triple Crown, five ERA titles, a Gold Glove and 11 All-Star selections.

Kershaw is one of the defining players of his generation and is a lock for the Hall of Fame when he is eligible.

How he performs at the World Baseball Classic will do nothing to change that, but it will give fans one more opportunity to watch him play and give him a farewell reception on the field.

Bregman figures to be a more significant piece of the puzzle considering he was just an All-Star last season for the Boston Red Sox and gives the Americans a quality bat and glove to add to the infield rotation.

He was a Gold Glover in 2024 and hit more than 20 home runs in three of the last four seasons.

Team USA is scheduled to face the San Francisco Giants on March 3 and the Colorado Rockies on March 4 in exhibition games ahead of the tournament. Its first World Baseball Classic game will be March 6 against Brazil in the first of four group games that also include matchups with Great Britain, Mexico and Italy.

The group games will be in Houston, which is also where a potential quarterfinals game will take place on March 13 or 14. If the Americans advance to the semifinals (March 15 or 16) and championship game (March 17), they will take place in Miami.

Japan defeated Team USA in the championship game in the last World Baseball Classic in 2023.