JC Ramirez is being stretched out as a starting pitcher this spring, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ramirez pushed his fastball up to the 96-mph range in the Mexican Winter League, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ramirez and the Angels agreed to a minor-league deal Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ramirez was sent outright to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.