ARLINGTON -- Third baseman Jose Ramirez's condition is improving since he fouled a pitch off his left knee and was carted off the field in Goodyear on Sunday, and he could be ready for Thursday’s season opener in Minnesota, manager Terry Francona said Monday before the Indians played the Rangers.

Ramirez stayed at the Indians’ Spring Training complex in Arizona after X-rays did not show any broken bones on Sunday. After he successfully tested his ability to field his position on Monday, the plan is for him to join the club for its workout on Wednesday in Minnesota.

“He went out and took some ground balls today and was out in the field. … I’ve been trying to get ahead of it. I think [because] he went out on the field today, it’s a pretty good indicator he’s doing all right,” Francona said.

Ramirez, an All-Star the past two seasons, has played in 461 games for Cleveland over the past three years, averaging 154 per season. Entering Monday, he had the third-most at-bats for the Indians this spring, hitting .231 with one homer and four doubles in 20 Cactus League games.

Worth noting

• Right-hander Carlos Carrasco pitched 5 2/3 solid innings on Monday in his final exhibition appearance. He struck out four, allowed five hits and surrendered only one run, on Ronald Guzman’s homer in the fifth. Carrasco went 3-1 with a 3.79 ERA in four starts this spring.

• Carlos Santana pushed his club-leading spring batting average to .400 with a 2-for-4 performance on Monday. Only one other American Leaguer with qualifying plate appearances is batting above .400: White Sox shortstop Leury Garcia, at .431.

Up next

The Indians will close out their spring schedule on Tuesday at 2:05 p.m. ET when right-hander Mike Clevinger faces the Rangers' Drew Smyly. Clevinger was sharp over 13 2/3 innings in Arizona, posting a 3.95 ERA with 16 strikeouts and six walks.