Ankle Injury to Sideline Vizcaino

Jose Vizcaino knew he was in trouble the moment he began to slide, because the pain in his right ankle was unlike “anything I’ve ever felt.”

The Dodger shortstop severely sprained his ankle Sunday afternoon while trying to steal second base in the third inning of an 11-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies.

X-rays of the ankle were negative, and a team spokesman said Vizcaino is expected to be sidelined three to five days.

But Vizcaino has a different timetable.

“No, it’s going to be longer than that,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s really, really painful, and I can’t even stand on it.

“The swelling is so bad. We’ll see what happens when the swelling goes down, but I think it’s going to be a little while.”

His ankle was swollen so badly that Vizcaino appeared to have a tennis ball under his skin. He was taken off the field on a cart.

Vizcaino is expected to use crutches for the next few days, and he’s going to keep his movement to a minimum.

“I don’t want to do anything right now, I just want to stay off of it. The pain . . . it’s bad.”

Vizcaino has been among the Dodgers’ steadiest performers in this turbulent season. He is batting .262, with three home runs and 29 RBIs, and has been impressive defensively.

“This has been a tough season for everybody,” said Vizcaino, who has missed nine games because of injuries. “It’s been a weird year, because so many things have been happening.”

Infielder Alex Cora, who was recently recalled from triple-A Albuquerque, replaced Vizcaino on Sunday. Cora and infielder Juan Castro are expected to play shortstop until Vizcaino returns.

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Right-hander Ramon Martinez has decided to undergo season-ending surgery on his damaged throwing shoulder.

The two-time all-star is expected to return to his native Dominican Republic this week and schedule the operation, which will be on rotator cuff and cartilage tears, early next month with team physician Frank Jobe.

Jobe and two other sports-injury specialists recommended that Martinez undergo surgery after an MRI exam Monday revealed an increased rotator cuff tear and the cartilage tear.

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Rookie catcher Paul LoDuca had his first major league hit and RBI with a two-out, run-scoring single in the ninth inning.

Then he was optioned to Albuquerque after the game and replaced on the 25-man roster by outfielder Trenidad Hubbard, who was recalled from Albuquerque.

“It’s disappointing, of course, but they told me I would only be here for three days,” said LoDuca, who pinch hit for pitcher Greg McMichael in the seventh inning and remained in the game behind the plate.

“But I got a chance to catch and hit, and I’m still surprised by that,” LoDuca said. “I’m going to call all my friends and tell them when I get to the airport.”