ARLINGTON, Texas – The chances of Jose Ramirez being in the lineup for opening day have improved.

The last time we saw the two-time Indians All-Star he was on the back of a cart on Sunday afternoon, his left leg stretched in front of him as the vehicle moved slowly down the right field line at Camelback Ranch. Ramirez, who fouled a pitch off his left leg in a game against the White Sox, was taken for X-rays and an examination by the team’s doctors.

The X-rays were negative, but the odds looked a lot better for Ramirez to open the season on the 10-day injured list with shortstop Francisco Lindor and second baseman Jason Kipnis than to be playing third base on opening day Thursday at Target Field against the Twins.

Those odds took a hit on Monday.

“He’s doing really well,” said manager Terry Francona before the Indians played an exhibition game against Texas at Globe Life Park. “He went out and took some ground balls today. He’ll join us for the workout (Wednesday) in Minnesota.”

Asked if that meant he’d be in the opening day lineup, Francona said, “I hope so. We tried to get out ahead of it (bruised knee) and if he went out and was on the field today it’s a pretty good indicator that he’s doing all right.”

When Ramirez was injured, the Indians made the decision to leave him in Arizona so he could get treatment at their training facility in Goodyear. The rest of the team flew to Arlington.

A lineup without Lindor and Kipnis is one thing. A lineup without Lindor, Kipnis and Ramirez is quite another.

The Indians, because of trades or free-agent departures, lost 109 homers and 434 RBI over the off-season. Much of the production they retained came from Lindor, Kipnis and Ramirez to the tune of 95 homers and 272 RBI.

Picture the lineup the Indians put on the field Monday night -- Leonys Martin, Jake Bauers, Carlos Santana, Hanley Ramirez, Tyler Naquin, Brad Miller, Roberto Perez, Max Moroff and Eric Stamets -- and ask yourself how many games that’s going to win no matter how the Indians pitch?

If Ramirez makes it back by Thursday, that’s a start. The earliest Lindor can return is April 4. Kipnis was shut down March 20 with a strained right calf. On Sunday, the day the Indians left Arizona, they signed free-agent to Brad Miller to replace Kipnis at second base.