SEATTLE — First baseman Hanley Ramirez was out of the Red Sox lineup again Thursday because of a sore left wrist. But he hopes to return Friday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.

“I’m much better,’’ said Ramirez, who was not wearing a brace before the Sox played the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night. “I’m doing OK.’’

Ramirez slipped and fell on some stairs leading from the dugout to the clubhouse at Safeco Field on Tuesday night. X-rays and an MRI were negative. Ramirez took some swings indoors on Friday.

“His range of motion has increased to almost full range,’’ manager John Farrell said. “Optimistically he’ll be available on the weekend.’’

Ramirez has no swelling in his wrist, which has hastened his recovery.

Farrell said Thursday that he would consider using David Ortiz at first base in Los Angeles if Ramirez were not available. But that now seems unlikely. Ortiz has not played first base since last August and has been dealing with sore Achilles’ tendons all season.

Shaw perseveres

Travis Shaw got a rare start against a lefthanded pitcher, Ariel Miranda, on Thursday with Ramirez out of the lineup. It proved to be a smart decision when he homered in the second inning.

Through Wednesday, Shaw has hit .193 with a low .618 OPS in 85 plate appearances against lefthanders this season. That led to the Red Sox obtaining righthanded hitting Aaron Hill to be used with Shaw in a platoon at third base.

Shaw hit .329 with a .975 OPS in 90 plate appearances against lefties last season.

“I haven’t gotten many hits off lefties but approach-wise and feel-wise, it seems like the same like it has in the past. I’m not questioning anything I’m doing,’’ Shaw said before the game. “I try and stay in the middle of the field as much as I can.’’

Shaw was hitting .295 with an .869 OPS through June 1 and had played in every game. He had 27 extra-base hits and 35 RBIs in 53 games to that point. He has since hit .216 with a .663 OPS with 14 extra-base hits and 21 RBIs over 47 games. Since July 3, Shaw has been out of the lineup eight times.

“Sometimes it feels like I haven’t played in a week and it’s only a few days,’’ Shaw said. “It’s different from playing every day to being a platoon player in a matter of three days. I’ve never been in that situation. It’s something I’m still getting used to and learning how to stay ready.’’

For Farrell, it’s an easy decision as he tries to get the most out of the lineup.

“We’ve gone to what we felt like is going to be more production,’’ he said. “For a guy who has handled lefthanders well last year, the reverse of that has been present this year. That to me is advance scouting and the book that gets out on guys. You continue to provide opportunities. The opportunity is going to knock and hopefully he’ll take advantage of it.’’

Shaw could be tested if the Red Sox bring up 21-year-old switch hitter Yoan Moncada. Moncada has only played second base since the Red Sox spent $63 million to sign him. But he has started working out at third base before games with Double A Portland.

“I can’t worry about that. I’m used to it. It’s been that way my whole career,’’ Shaw said. “I’ll just go ahead and [do] what I need to do. As long as my numbers end up where they normally end up, I’ll be fine with that.

“It has happened at every level. A lot of people still question me even at this point. I’ll say I feel like I’ve established myself. My numbers have been good since I got called up. I think by the end of the year, my numbers will be pretty good.’’

Making progress

Left fielder Chris Young, who has been on the disabled list since June 24 with a strained right hamstring, will run the bases before the game Friday. If that goes well, he will start a minor league rehabilitation assignment early next week. The same is true for infielder Josh Rutledge, who has been out since June 15 with tendinitis in his left knee.

The news is more worrisome for catcher/outfielder Blake Swihart, who has not played since June 4 because of a sprained left ankle. He will be in Charlotte, N.C., Friday to see Dr. Robert Anderson, a foot specialist. Swihart has not made much progress; season-ending surgery is a possibility.

Koji Uehara is expected to start playing catch next week for the first time since straining a pectoral muscle on July 19. It remains uncertain whether Uehara will return this season. He has turned down interview requests for several weeks.

Johnson comes on

Lefthander Brian Johnson pitched well again for Triple A Pawtucket, allowing one run on three hits over six innings at Rochester.

Johnson has worked 12 innings and given up one earned run on seven hits in his last two starts. He walked three and struck out 11. Johnson is presenting himself as an option should the Red Sox need a starter.

Heath Hembree got the save on Thursday. He has pitched four times for Pawtucket since being optioned on July 24 and retired 12 of 13 hitters.

Rusney Castillo, the $75.2 million Cuban bust, was 4 for 4 with a triple. He is 16 of his last 33 but that only raised his Triple A batting average to .257 and his OPS to .642.

Return engagement

The Indians claimed utility player Michael Martinez off waivers. He was designated for assignment Tuesday. The Indians traded Martinez to the Sox on July 8 after they designated him for assignment on July 2. Martinez was on the Sox roster for 19 games but appeared in only four of them and had seven plate appearances . . . Seattle made a series of moves before the game. Miranda was recalled from Triple A Tacoma, as was righthander Blake Parker. Righthander Steve Cishek, a Falmouth native, was placed on the 15-day disabled with a torn left hip labrum. Righthander Donn Roach was optioned to Tacoma and righthander Mayckol Guaipe was released . . . Thursday marked Farrell’s 54th birthday. The same was true of former Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens. Former Sox outfielder Troy O’Leary turned 47.

Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.