Sheffield Is Sidelined Indefinitely

Though X-rays on Gary Sheffield’s sprained left ankle showed that he hadn’t broken any bones, Dodger officials on Monday were not predicting an early return to the lineup.

Team physician Frank Jobe said that Sheffield, who will probably wear a cast for at least a week, isn’t likely to be back in the lineup soon.

“It’s a severe sprain,” Jobe said. “I think he’s going to be out possibly more than a week.”

Sheffield is scheduled to be re-examined today by foot specialist Phillip Kwong.

Sheffield, who injured his ankle while in a run-down between third base and home plate in the eighth inning of Sunday night’s game, walked through the clubhouse on crutches on Monday, and had a soft splint surrounding his wounded ankle.

Matt Luke took his place in right field Monday.

The Dodgers have experience with ankle injuries: Shortstop Jose Vizcaino went on the disabled list June 22 because of an injured ankle and has yet to return to action.

Manager Glenn Hoffman indicated that, with the rosters expanding today to a 40-man limit, Vizcaino could be activated soon.

Infielder Tripp Cromer, on the disabled list since July 31 because of a strained leg muscle, is expected to be activated today.

The Dodgers said they will call up catcher Paul LoDuca, left-handed pitcher Gary Rath, right-handed pitcher Eric Weaver and infielder Alex Cora from triple-A Albuquerque.

The Dodgers also announced that they were purchasing the contract of Jeff Kubenka.

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Right-handed reliever Antonio Osuna will undergo arthroscopic surgery to clean out a bone spur in his right elbow later this week and is out for the season, the Dodgers announced.

Osuna appeared in 54 games this season, and was 7-1 with a 3.06 earned-run average and six saves in 64 2/3 innings.

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Starting catcher Charles Johnson not in the starting lineup for the third consecutive night. After being given the day off Saturday, Johnson was benched Sunday and Monday because of stiffness in his right shoulder andreplaced by Tom Prince.

Met catcher Mike Piazza was back in the starting lineup Monday. He left Sunday’s game after a foul ball bruised his right shoulder.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Philadelphia Phillies, two games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Channel 5 tonight; Fox Sports West 2 Wednesday.

* Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 68-70, Phillies 66-72.

* 1998 record vs. Phillies--3-4.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

ISMAEL VALDES

(9-9, 3.90 ERA)

vs.

PHILLIES’

PAUL BYRD

(2-1, 3.16 ERA)

* Update--The return of Valdes, on the disabled list since July 27 because of a strained abdominal muscle, means that, for now, the Dodgers could go with a six-man rotation, since there is no obvious candidate to lose his spot.

* Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.--Carlos Perez (7-13, 4.13 ERA) vs. Tyler Green (6-8, 4.65 ERA).