After a three-year postponement, the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) begins on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, and it is shaping up to be one of the most star-studded tournaments in history.
A bevy of stars have already committed to playing, including Pete Alonso, Jose Altuve, Nolan Arenado, Mookie Betts, Carlos Correa, Paul Goldschmidt, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bryce Harper, Mike Trout and Trea Turner.
Official team rosters aren’t due for several weeks, which is keeping the door open for other stars who may potentially want to participate in the fifth installment of the WBC.
Longtime Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has never participated in the tournament but hopes to do so next year. “We’re still working through some things there,” Kershaw said when asked if he has been offered a chance to play for Team USA.
“Obviously it would be a huge honor to get to do that. We were all watching USA soccer and the World Cup, and how special that is to wear the jersey and how many people get behind that.
“I just started throwing, so really, I’m trying to figure out how I’m feeling there. Obviously, I’ve got to talk to Mark (Prior), talk to Andrew (Friedman), and all that stuff. So I’m still a little ways away from making that call.”
Team USA will train and prepare for the 2023 WBC at Chase Field.
Kershaw twice went on the injured list this past season because of back trouble, but he was still plenty productive. The left-hander finished the year 12-3 with a 2.28 ERA, 2.57 FIP and 0.94 WHIP over 22 starts.
Kershaw re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $20 million contract for the 2023 season, which was said to include a $5 million signing bonus.
Dodgers in 2023 World Baseball Classic
If Kershaw commits to playing for Team USA, he would join fellow Dodgers teammates Betts and Will Smith on the roster.
Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel is also going to be with Team USA for the WBC.
Meanwhile, Julio Urías will pitch for Team Mexico and Freddie Freeman is competing with Team Canada.
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