Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw announced his retirement from Major League Baseball during LA’s championship campaign in 2025.
But Kershaw loves baseball too much to walk away from the sport completely.
According to a new report, Kershaw is nearing a deal to join NBC’s MLB studio crew, presumably for the 2026 season and beyond.
For now, MLB fans are still digesting the sad reality that Kershaw’s epic playing career in the big leagues is over.
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Drafted seventh overall in 2006, the left-hander debuted in 2008 and quickly established himself as one of baseball’s premier pitchers through dominant performances, including three NL Cy Young Awards, an NL MVP in 2014, and 11 All-Star selections.
Over his career, Kershaw amassed 223 wins against 96 losses, a 2.53 ERA, and 3,052 strikeouts across 2,855.1 innings in 455 games (451 starts). He achieved milestones such as reaching 3,000 strikeouts in 2025, becoming the fourth left-hander in MLB history to do so.
In his farewell campaign, Kershaw posted an 11-2 record with a 3.36 ERA in 23 appearances (22 starts), logging 112.2 innings and 84 strikeouts. He transitioned to a relief role in the playoffs, delivering key contributions during the Dodgers’ World Series victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, including escaping a bases-loaded jam in Game 3 of the Fall Classic. This brought his total World Series titles to three.
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During his retirement announcement, Kershaw expressed satisfaction with ending on his terms after a magical championship run. He has committed to one final competitive outing, joining Team USA’s roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic as a reliever.
A future Hall of Famer, Kershaw leaves behind a legacy of excellence, consistency, and loyalty to one franchise.
Featured image via Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports Images
