GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Injured shortstop Francisco Lindor met with the Indians' medical staff Thursday morning to go over his plans for next week, but it remains uncertain if he will be ready for Opening Day.

The club is open to giving Lindor, who is playing Minor League games, an extra three to five days to be ready, and it remains likely that Eric Stamets will start the season at shortstop in Lindor’s absence.

“[Lindor’s] been very mature about and we are trying to be mature about it,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “The medical guys are sitting down with him and trying to map it out. We are not going to slow him down on purpose, but we do want him to be able to play the season without dragging a leg around.”

As for Stamets, he was pulled out of Wednesday's split squad game against the Angels because of what he described as “a little hip tweak.” He was held out of the lineup Thursday against the Rangers, but could return to action as early as Friday.

“He catches everything in sight, which is good when you are trying to replace somebody at shortstop,” Francona said. “You don’t replace a Lindor, but it’s nice to know that when the ball is hit, you are out. The hitting is still a work in progress. If it wasn’t, he’d be a Major League starter.”

Stamets has made 15 starts at shortstop this spring. At the plate, he has eight hits, including five for extra bases, in 39 at-bats. He has struck out 12 times.

“I’m still here and I’m playing a lot,” Stamets said. “It’s a great opportunity here, obviously. It’s just been fun to see how everyone goes about their business and the fact that I have been up here this long is awesome.”

Kipnis evaluated

Second baseman Jason Kipnis, who left Wednesday night’s game with a right calf issue, was scheduled for another evaluation Thursday morning. It's the same injury that kept him out of last Thursday's lineup and out of action for four games.

It’s uncertain when he will return to action.

“The first step is to get it imaged to see what’s going on in there rather than ask our medical people to guess because of where we are in Spring Training,” Francona said.

The club would likely use utility player Max Moroff at second base if Kipnis is unable to start the season.

“I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job offensively and defensively,” Moroff said. “I’m trying to make all of the routine plays and put good at-bats together.”

Plutko sent down

The Indians optioned right-hander pitcher Adam Plutko to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday one day after a rough outing against the Giants on Wednesday night. The club expects him to pitch every five days and find his routine in the Minor Leagues.

“He’s a kid that’s probably wise beyond his years,” Francona said. “The last couple of years, he has been up and down and has really been that guy that bounced around. … He gets it. He’s a smart kid. He asks good question. I have no doubt he’ll go down and do his thing.”

Plutko gave up nine runs on 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings against the Giants on Wednesday. Overall, he allowed 14 runs on 17 hits in 13 1/3 Cactus League innings. He struck out 11 and walked two batters.

Ramirez decision

The Indians will have to decide what to do with Hanley Ramirez soon.

The veteran infielder, who was trying to win a job as the team’s designated hitter, can opt out of his deal and become a free agent Sunday.

“It’s hard to evaluate during Spring Training and we are doing the best we can,” Francona said. “I don’t know if I am going to say what we are going to do. That’s not fair to anybody.”

Ramirez went 0-for-4 Wednesday and has one hit in his last 11 at-bats. Overall, he has seven hits, including two doubles, in 32 at-bats this spring. He has driven in five runs.

“We are trying to be fair to him, and by that, I mean, playing him enough but not too much and trying to be fair to us to get a good look," Francona said.

Worth noting

Mike Clevinger made his fourth appearance this spring in Thursday’s start against the Rangers at Surprise Stadium. The right-hander finished four innings, allowing four runs -- three earned -- on eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts in the Indians' 7-3 loss. He gave up a run in the second and third innings. Ronald Guzman hit a solo home run off Clevinger in the fourth.

“It was a little good and a little bad,” Clevinger said. “They are a great fastball hitting team and that’s definitely something to make a mental note of. They were jumping on heaters and they stayed on some breaking balls late to flip it into the outfield. They had a good day at the plate today.”

He was replaced in the fifth by Adam Cimber after giving up a double to Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus. Andrus eventually scored.

“I feel strong,” Clevinger said. “I’m still refining some things and trying to get some sequencing down. I got some good work in.”

Up next

The Indians will send Corey Kluber to the mound against the Cubs on Friday at 9:05 p.m. ET at Goodyear Ballpark. Watch the game live on MLB.TV.