Clayton Kershaw will not pitch for the United States in the World Baseball Classic after all.
He told reporters at the Los Angeles Dodgers’ spring training facility on Friday that it was “super disappointing” that he could not participate but didn’t specify a reason why.
The Los Angeles Times, however, reported that he couldn’t acquire the necessary insurance coverage, with his history of back injuries a “significant factor.”
He signed a one-year, $20 million contract with the Dodgers in December.
The Dodgers had granted the three-time Cy Young Award winner permission to play. Despite back and pelvic injuries in 2022, Kershaw finished the regular season with a 12-3 record and a 2.28 ERA in 126 1/3 innings.
Kershaw, 34, said earlier that he entered training camp feeling “physically strong,” according to the Times.
“There were some factors making it hard for me to play,” the left-hander said. “I tried to work it out on my own. Tried to work it out with MLB, the union, the team, everybody. Everybody worked hard to try and make it work. Just wasn’t able to.”
–Field Level Media
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