The L.A. Dodgers’ Hanley Ramirez, playing for the Dominican Republic, looks on during a World Baseball Classic second round game against Puerto Rico on March 16, 2013 in Miami. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The thumb injury Hanley Ramirez sustained in the World Baseball Classic championship game Tuesday night will cost the Dodgers shortstop anywhere from 2 to 10 weeks.

With Opening Day 12 days away, that makes Ramirez doubtful for the Dodgers’ season-opening series against the San Francisco Giants — if not longer.

Ramirez was scheduled to arrive in Phoenix later today to undergo an MRI exam. The Dodgers will learn the full extent of his injury then.

Luis Cruz was scheduled to start at shortstop in the Dodgers’ exhibition game against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday and could be a longer-term option to replace Ramirez if the team chooses to move him from third base.

Hanley Ramirez and the Dominican Republic beat Puerto Rico 3-0 on Tuesday to claim their first World Baseball Classic title. It was a bittersweet day for the Dodgers, who could only watch as Ramirez jammed his thumb diving for a ground ball in the third inning:

Ramirez, who was playing third base, stayed in the game but later came out and was fitted with a splint. The Dodgers reportedly won’t know the extent of the injury until tomorrow.

Hanley Ramirez will get an MRI on his thumb in Arizona tomorrow, per Moises Alou.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 20, 2013

According to CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler,

Dominican Republic manager Tony Pena and third-base coach Juan Samuel both said they don’t believe that Ramirez is seriously hurt, but the Dodgers likely won’t feel comfortable until Ramirez’s MRI comes back clean and he’s able to take the field again for them.

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