Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Why Did Clayton Kershaw Need Insurance For World Baseball Classic?
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Why Did Clayton Kershaw Need Insurance For World Baseball Classic?

Matt Borelli
March 20, 2023
4 Min Read
Clayton Kershaw, 2023 Spring Training
Allan Henry/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Dodgers were initially expected to have nine players from their 40-man roster represent them in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, but Clayton Kershaw and Miguel Rojas backed out for different reasons.

Rojas had committed to play for Team Venezuela but withdrew from the international tournament in order to focus on his new role as the Dodgers starting shortstop after Gavin Lux sustained a season-ending ACL tear.

As for Kershaw, he ultimately was taken off the Team USA roster due to being unable to secure an insurance policy. The left-hander is healthy at present time, but has a long history of back injuries and also suffered a significant left elbow/forearm strain in 2021.

Insurance coverage was necessary for Kershaw in the event he was injured during the WBC. The policy protects teams from having to pay a player for time missed in such situations.

That is occurring for the New York Mets in the wake of All-Star closer Edwin Díaz suffering a torn patellar in his right knee. Díaz is expected to miss most, if not the entire 2023 season.

Players can be deemed uninsurable for the WBC if a lengthy injury history exists and/or there was a considerable amount of time spent on the injured list the previous season.

Kershaw fell into the former category and reportedly tried finding a workaround by securing a personal insurance policy. The Dodgers also could have simply waived the insurance requirement and allow the three-time Cy Young Award winner to play, but they didn’t want to take the risk.

Miguel Cabrera faced similar challenges, but the Detroit Tigers gave him permission to play for Team Venezuela without being insured. The St. Louis Cardinals also cleared Tyler O’Neill to play for Team Canada after he finished the 2022 season on the injured list.

Kershaw isn’t the first player to have to back out of the WBC because of insurance coverage issues. Sonny Gray most notably did so in 2017, and Nathan Eovaldi and Brusdar Graterol couldn’t play in this year’s WBC for the same reason.

Without Kershaw, the Team USA pitching staff is being headlined by longtime Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright. The rotation as a whole has been a point of weakness, and has arguably been considered the biggest obstacle in their quest of repeating as champions.

Clayton Kershaw enjoyed slow Spring Training after withdrawing from WBC

When Kershaw withdrew from the WBC, he remained in Dodgers camp ahead of his regular throwing schedule and took a step back before ramping up for Opening Day.

The 35-year-old didn’t pitch in his first Cactus League game until March 10 but explained he enjoyed the slower process.

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:2023 World Baseball ClassicClayton KershawLos Angeles Dodgers
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Lucas Giolito
FeaturedRumors

Lucas Giolito Trade Rumors: Diamondbacks & Dodgers Among Interested Teams

July 21, 2023
July 22, 2023
Trevor Bauer
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers Still Awaiting Ruling From MLB On Trevor Bauer Investigation

October 28, 2021
October 28, 2021
Dalton Rushing, 2024 Spring Training, Dodgers prospect
Dodgers Minor LeaguesFeatured

Dalton Rushing Named 2024 Branch Rickey Minor League Player Of The Year; Jackson Ferris Pitcher Of The Year

September 20, 2024
October 22, 2024
Dodger Stadium view, 2018 NLDS
Dodgers News

How To Stream Dodgers-Yankees Series Opener On Facebook Watch

August 23, 2019
August 24, 2019

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어