Team USA Replaces Kershaw with Hoffman for WBC Semis

Team USA has replaced retired pitcher Clayton Kershaw with Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman on its active roster ahead of the World Baseball Classic semifinals, officials announced Saturday. The move follows the United States' 5-3 quarterfinal victory over Canada on Friday night in Houston and sets the stage for a Sunday matchup against the Dominican Republic at loanDepot park in Miami.

Kershaw, a three-time National League Cy Young Award winner who retired at the end of last season after 18 major league seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, had joined Team USA after coming out of retirement specifically for the tournament. Despite his availability, the 38-year-old left-hander did not appear in any of the team's five official games, which included four pool-play contests and the quarterfinal win. His only outing came in an exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies on March 4 in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he allowed a leadoff home run and recorded just two outs.

The decision to remove Kershaw from the active roster reflects the high-stakes nature of the knockout stage, where managers prioritize players ready for immediate contribution. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa...