Clayton Kershaw Taken Off Team USA's WBC Roster, Who is Replacing Him Ahead of Semifinals?

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman is joining the Team USA roster ahead of the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Hoffman is set to replace Clayton Kershaw on the United States' active roster, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

He will be added to Team USA's roster before the team's semifinal matchup against the Dominican Republic starts Sunday in Miami.

Hoffman last saw action in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, when he surrendered a game-tying home run to the Los Angeles Dodgers' Miguel Rojas in the ninth inning.

He will look to earn redemption if called on to pitch any innings in relief of Paul Skenes, who is slated to get Team USA's semifinal start.

Logan Webb started the United States' Friday night quarterfinal win, during which Brad Keller, Gabe Speier, David Bednar, Garrett Whitlock and Mason Miller threw in relief.

Kershaw will step away from Team USA without having pitched in the United States' four pool play games or Friday night's quarterfinal win against Canada.

The move comes after Team USA manager Mark DeRosa was asked around the 7:25 mark of Friday's pregame press conference whether Kershaw would see any WBC game action.

"I would love to get Clayton a little run, but it's win or go home," DeRosa answered. "We'll see. I mean, I've got 10 relievers in there that are raring to go. So, I would think that would be a long shot, but we'll see."

Kershaw, who has already officially retired from MLB, will close out his WBC run having made one exhibition appearance against the Colorado Rockies.

Team USA will meanwhile prepare to play for a spot in the 2026 WBC final when Sunday's matchup against the Dominican Republic starts at 8 p.m. ET at loanDepot park.