Bruised knee sends Ramirez off on cart

Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez bruised his left knee when he fouled a ball off himself Sunday, and his status for opening day is uncertain.

X-rays on the two-time All-Star were negative. The team said Ramirez will remain in Arizona, and that it will be determined later whether he can play Thursday when the AL Central champions open at Minnesota.

The Indians already had a depleted infield when Ramirez was carted from the field against the White Sox in Cleveland’s final exhibition. He wasn’t able to put any pressure on his leg as manager Terry Francona and a trainer helped him onto the cart.

Star shortstop Francisco Lindor is starting the season on the injured list and second baseman Jason Kipnis is expected to miss opening day — both players are recovering after staining their right calf.

Trout ‘Angel for life’:

Mike Trout smiled into the postcard-perfect Orange County sunlight and said exactly what every Angels fan has spent years hoping to hear.

“I know there was a lot of talk about going back East, but I enjoy every minute being here,” Trout said. “This is my home. I love it. It never crossed my mind that I wasn’t going to be an Angel for life.”

The crowd around the main entrance to Angel Stadium burst into raucous cheers, and so did Trout’s dozens of teammates and coaches in the audience below the podium.

The $426.5 million, 12year contract for the twotime AL MVP is an extraordinary reward for a singular homegrown talent who never wanted to leave. After returning from spring training with their franchise cornerstone firmly in place, the Angels paused on the final weekend before the regular season to celebrate Trout being home to stay.

“I want to bring a championship back to Anaheim. Let’s go, baby!” Trout said.

Trout got the biggest contract in North American sports history last week, securing his future with the Angels instead of waiting to entertain offers from the Phillies, Yankees or any other likely suitor when he reached free agency in two years. The native of southern New Jersey had been linked to Philadelphia for years.

“He was born an Angel, and he was raised an Angel, and he represents this organization better than anybody,” Angels general manager Billy Eppler said. “He’ll be the first player to go into the Hall of Fame like that for the Angels.”

Extra innings:

Tigers RHP Jordan Zimmermann is going to make his second consecutive opening-day start. The Tigers announced the decision Sunday. They begin the season Thursday at Toronto. The 32-year-old Zimmerman was 7-8 with a 4.52 ERA over 25 starts last season and had core muscle repair surgery in October . ... The Indians signed INF Brad Miller to a major-league contract . ... Orioles DH Mark Trumbo will start the season on the injured list. The 33-year-old Trumbo, who led the majors with 47 home runs in 2016, had surgery on his right knee in September.