Every game is must-win at this point for the Cleveland Guardians, who are just 0.5 games up on the Chicago White Sox heading into Thursday night’s series finale with the Boston Red Sox. With just four games left, the Guardians are in control of their own destiny and can clinch the AL Central and a first-round bye if they win out.
Cleveland wouldn’t be close to this position without the incredible contributions from the farm system, which has produced a number of core players on this roster. As young and talented as Cleveland’s roster is now, there are more waves of talent on the way, though unfortunately that means that some prospects have also fallen by the wayside as they have been surpassed on the depth chart.
Guardians Prospective shared that the team has officially cut ties with three minor leaguers heading into the final week of MLB’s regular season. The minor league seasons are wrapping up their postseasons, and the Guardians put a sad bow on the year by cutting righties Carter Spivey and Wes Burton as well as infielder Kyle Dernedde.
“The Cleveland Guardians have released the following minor league players. RHP Carter Spivey, RHP Wes Burton, INF Kyle Dernedde,” said Guardians Prospective.
The Cleveland #Guardians have released the following minor league players.
RHP Carter Spivey
RHP Wes Burton
INF Kyle Dernedde— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) September 24, 2026
Spivey missed all of the 2026 season with a shoulder injury, and despite posting solid numbers during his brief time in the organization, it appears that the front office has lost some faith in the soon-to-be 27-year-old. He posted a solid 3.52 ERA over 161 innings and now he’ll hopefully find a landing spot somewhere else once he is fully healed.
Burton turns 26 soon and made his minor league debut this year, compiling a disappointing 7.56 ERA in nine appearances out of the bullpen across the ACL league and Hill City in A-ball. He was also placed on the IL in early August and didn’t make it back before the season ended.
Dernedde was injured all year as well and struck out in his only two at bats for the Akron RubberDucks. Just like Burton, he also turns 26 in a few months, so it’s clear the Guardians saw all three of them as being slightly past the desired age for prospects in the lower levels of the farm.
We wish them all the best and hope they catch on elsewhere in the minors.
NEXT: Guardians Given Notable Grade For Regular Season Performance
