Ramirez was released by the Twins on Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ramirez began the season at Triple-A St. Paul and posted a 5.66 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 35 innings over 16 appearances (two starts). The right-hander hasn't made much of an impact over the last few seasons and will now be forced to seek out a new organization.

Ramirez signed a minor-league deal with Minnesota on Thursday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ramirez owns a 4.71 ERA in 288.1 career MLB innings, though just 14.2 of those have come in the last four years. He's been out of affiliated ball entirely over the last two seasons, pitching in Mexico and Taiwan. In nine starts for the Fubon Guardians of the CPBL last season, he recorded a 3.69 ERA and 1.19 WHIP.

Ramirez signed a contract Monday with the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.

EDGE Analysis

Ramirez will presumably get the chance to start full-time in Taiwan, something he hasn't done regularly since 2017. He missed most of the following two years due to Tommy John surgery and failed to make the Angels' active roster at any point in 2020. He could theoretically earn another big-league deal with a strong showing overseas, but given that he'll turn 33 next season, it's quite likely his MLB days are over.

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

EDGE Analysis

Manager Joe Maddon wants Ramirez to be available as both a starting pitcher or reliever once the season arrives. The 31-year-old started eight games for Triple-A Salt Lake in 2019, posting a 6.59 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 26 strikeouts across 41 innings. With teammate Griffin Canning heading for an MRI on Friday, it is possible that Ramirez could tackle a few starts earlier in the season while the Angels wait for their ace Shohei Ohtani to return to the mound around mid-May.

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

EDGE Analysis

In his return to the big leagues following Tommy John surgery last season, Ramirez exhibited a significantly scaled-down fastball, averaging only 91.0 mph on his four-seamer, per Statcast. If he is able to sustain the velocity he reportedly flashed over the winter, it would mark a return to his 2017 level. During that season, Ramirez averaged 95.6 mph on both his sinker and four-seam fastball, though the end result was an unimpressive 16.9 K%.

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

EDGE Analysis

Ramirez endured a tough 2019 season as he worked his way back from Tommy John surgery. He labored through his rehab outings, finishing the year with a 6.56 ERA in 48 minor-league innings while making just five appearances at the major-league level. If he does re-establish himself in the big leagues this season, don't expect too much, as he owns a career 4.71 ERA at the highest level.

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

EDGE Analysis

Ramirez has posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with four strikeouts over eight innings since being reinstated from the injured list July 30, but he'll head to the minors following Thursday's roster move. He'll have the option of either accepting an assignment with the Bees or becoming a free agent.

Ramirez (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Ramirez is finally back in action after recovering from last April's Tommy John surgery. He recorded a 7.40 ERA in 41.1 rehab innings, so expectations should perhaps be kept low for now. He's expected to serve as a long reliever down the stretch. Adam McCreery was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Ramirez (elbow) said after his rehab outing Sunday with High-A Inland Empire that he feels prepared to return from the 60-day injured list and make his season debut, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

On the comeback trail following April 2018 Tommy John surgery, Ramirez has made 12 minor-league rehab appearances spanning two different assignment periods. The Angels initially intended to bring back Ramirez in a starting role, but the team has since indicated that he will work in long relief once reinstated from the IL, perhaps as soon as Tuesday. Ramirez isn't expected to cover more than three innings in any of his appearances the rest of the season.

Ramirez (elbow) is scheduled to make his final rehab appearance with High-A Inland Empire on Sunday, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ramirez is scheduled to throw about 20 pitches as he prepares to join the Angels in a bullpen role coming off Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old's rehab assignment will run out Tuesday, so he'll have to be activated by that point.