Dodgers' president: Kershaw unlikely to participate in WBC

Team USA will have to go out and win the World Baseball Classic without arguably its best pitcher.

Los Angeles Dodgers president Andrew Friedman said Clayton Kershaw is unlikely to participate in the tournament, according to the Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett.

Right-hander Kenley Jansen will also forgo his opportunity to pitch for the Netherlands, while Kenta Maeda isn't expected to pitch for Team Japan.

While losing Kershaw is a big blow to begin with, it's even bigger for Team USA considering the other arms that aren't participating.

Earlier in the week, Washington Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer announced he wouldn't play in the WBC because he suffered a stress fracture in his knuckle near the end of the 2016 season.

Instead, he'll proceed with caution this offseason so he can prepare for the regular season.

Also on the fence is San Francisco Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner, who is iffy on the timing of the WBC, and how it'll affect his regular routine with the Giants. He has yet to confirm one way or another.

As it stands, the U.S. rotation will currently be comprised of right-handers Marcus Stroman, Tanner Roark, Chris Archer, and left-hander Danny Duffy.

While the team is still very talented, it got slightly more beatable without the services of Kershaw.