TEMPE, Ariz. — Ryan Zeferjahn is living proof of the adage that a radar gun can get you into pro ball, but it can’t get you to the major leagues.

An Angels right-handed reliever, Zeferjahn was a third-round pick in 2019, largely because of a 101-mph fastball, but his career had stalled in the minors until he finally discovered how effective his other pitches could be.

“I was trying to throw 101, and it was leading to walks,” Zeferjahn said. “Hitters are geared up for 100 now. That’s the normal now. Once I learned that I don’t have to throw 101 to show off, or that it’s the only way I’m going to get (to the majors), I’m going to get outs with what I’m best at.

“That’s being in the zone with my cutter and sweeper. Then I have the fastball in my back pocket. That’s the learning and understanding that helped me.”

A product of the University of Kansas, Zeferjahn, 27, had a 5.25 ERA and 4.7 walks per nine innings during his first three minor league seasons after he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox. He never pitched above Double-A.

Last season, however, was a breakthrough for him in the Boston system. The Red Sox helped him make some changes with his cutter and sweeper last spring, and that was the first step.

The Angels got him as part of the Luis Garcia trade at the deadline. After Zeferjahn got to the Angels, coaches there helped improve his fastball command.

“Both organizations have done a really good job of helping me with my pitches,” Zeferjahn said.

Zeferjahn pitched five games at Triple-A, striking out eight and walking one in 7 2/3 innings, and that earned him a spot in the big leagues.

Zeferjahn pitched 12 games in the majors, posting a 2.12 ERA in 17 innings. He struck out 18 and walked six.

Now, Zeferjahn views his fastball as his third-best pitch, and the cutter is the one that is the most important.

“It’s a good in-zone pitch,” Zeferjahn said. “Just get it in there. I’m not trying to go for the strikeouts. When that time comes, you can go for it. But it was like getting early outs, being able to throw multiple innings.

“Here, that’s kind of a big thing. They like quick innings. If I have quick innings, I can go out there again and get three more outs. And I think that mindset just kind of changed. And you know, that helped me out big time.”

So far this spring, Zeferjahn has further cemented his role in the big league bullpen. He hasn’t allowed a run in 5 2/3 innings, with six strikeouts.

“Live arm,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “Got good stuff. Hard to center up. The only one thing I want him to continue to do is not take what he has on his shoulder for granted. Continue to try to perfect it the best that you can get. He’s young. He’s still got ceiling, and I don’t want him to think he has reached the ceiling. Because if he feels like he has reached his ceiling, then he’s going to be in trouble.”

Silseth sent down after rough spring

Right-hander Chase Silseth was optioned on Tuesday, which is no surprise considering he’d allowed 15 earned runs in 13 innings this spring.

That officially leaves just right-hander Jack Kochanowicz and left-hander Reid Detmers in the race for the No. 5 starter job. Both have looked good this spring, so it’s possible the Angels keep one of them in the bullpen, as they did with José Soriano to start the season last year.

“Until we make that decision, that’s on the table,” Washington said. “It’s always on the table, but we gotta make that decision before we say something like that. Right now we haven’t decided who’s got the fifth spot, so there’s still competition going on.”

It’s worth noting that Detmers has pitched in relief — albeit in starter-length outings — in each of his past two games. He’s scheduled to follow Yusei Kikuchi to the mound Friday against the Colorado Rockies.

Third baseman Yoán Moncada, who is out with a bruised right thumb, continues to feel “better,” Washington said, but there’s otherwise been no change. He hasn’t thrown or hit since he was shut down with the injury. Moncada said he’s still planning on being ready by Opening Day.

Infielder Luis Rengifo got the day off after playing in two straight Cactus League games. Rengifo had been getting at-bats in minor league games on the days he wasn’t playing. The Angels seem to have little concern about Rengifo’s hamstring at this point. Now they are just trying to get him enough at-bats to get his timing before the season.

Left-hander Angel Perdomo, who was acquired Monday, had not arrived in camp by Tuesday morning. Perdomo, 30, is out of options, so he is likely to make the Opening Day bullpen. “The kid’s got a good arm,” Washington said. “He always had a few issues trying to keep it in the strike zone. Hopefully, over the years he’s honed that in. We’ll just wait to get him in camp and see what we’re dealing with.”

The Angels signed utilityman Travis Blankenhorn earlier this month, and he was on the lineup card to play in Tuesday’s Cactus League game. Blankenhorn was the Minnesota Twins’ third-round pick in 2015, and he’s since bounced around the majors. He had an .820 OPS last season at Triple-A in the Washington Nationals’ system.