Goodwin Off DL, Prokopec Goes On

Struggling rookie starter Luke Prokopec was put on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of a recurring blister on his pitching hand, and outfielder Tom Goodwin was activated from the disabled list.

Goodwin, sidelined since July 21 because of a strained right hamstring, grounded out while pinch-hitting in the sixth inning of an 8-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

Prokopec, a right-hander from Australia, has had problems throwing sliders because of blisters on his middle finger, contributing to a 12-game winless streak.

The Dodgers also believe Prokopec, experiencing growing pains in his first full season, needs a break.

Manager Jim Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn are hopeful that Prokopec’s finger will heal with rest, though Tracy acknowledged there are no guarantees.

“We’re going to give the 15 days in order to give that finger a chance to get itself back to where it needs to be,” Tracy said. “This is a young guy who is trying to compensate for a sore finger, and it’s not fair to send him out there and have him doing that.

“You have a young player in waters he’s never been in before. He’s running a 162-game marathon that he’s never run before. He’s given us his heart and soul to this point and hasn’t taken any time to stop at one of the watering tables and he needs it.”

Prokopec has only four quality starts in his last 12, and a 5.72 earned-run average during the streak.

After starting the season 6-1 with a 3.33 ERA, Prokopec is 6-6 with a 4.69 ERA. He was chased after 4 1/3 innings in Wednesday’s 9-4 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

“I need to give my finger a chance to heal and basically just try to reach September,” Prokopec said. “That’s the smartest thing to do, I think.”

With a day off Monday, the Dodgers considered using a four-man rotation and skipping Prokopec only once.

But they decided that Prokopec needed more time off, so he will miss at least two turns and the Dodgers need another starter July 18 against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium.

Left-hander Terry Mulholland was acquired for this type of situation because of his past success as a starter, but Tracy said right-hander Giovanni Carrara and triple-A left-hander Jeff Williams also are under consideration.

Mulholland is 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA in three appearances since being acquired from the Pirates. Carrara, effective in two starts this season, is 2-1 with a 2.81 ERA in 28 appearances.

Williams is 6-4 with a 4.65 ERA for Las Vegas and is coming off a strong seven-inning outing.

“We have options,” Tracy said. “We have very positive options there.”

First baseman Eric Karros had the day off because Dave Hansen, one of the majors’ top pinch-hitters, needs at-bats to remain sharp.

Karros is batting .276 (eight for 29) with three doubles, two home runs and five runs batted in during a seven-game hitting streak.

He also had three key hits in three victories.

“I’m feeling good at the plate,” Karros said. “It just feels good to be able to contribute.”

ON DECK

Opponent--Philadelphia Phillies, three games.

Site--Veterans Stadium.

Tonight--4 p.m. PDT

TV--Channel 5 today and Sunday; Channel 11 on Saturday.

Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

Records--Dodgers 65-50, Phillies 62-52.

Record vs. Phillies--3-0.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ JAMES BALDWIN

(1-0, 1.69 ERA)

vs.

PHILLIES’ NELSON FIGUEROA

(3-2, 2.75 ERA)

Update--Baldwin has pitched well in his first two starts for the Dodgers, giving up only three runs in 16 innings. The right-hander earned his first victory with the club last Saturday, pitching eight strong innings in a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. The surprising Phillies trail the first-place Atlanta Braves by two games in the National League East. Opponents are batting .260 against Figueroa.

Saturday, 1 p.m.--Eric Gagne (4-4, 4.78) vs. Robert Person (9-6, 4.89).

Sunday, 10:30 a.m.--Terry Adams (8-4, 4.74) vs. Brandon Duckworth (1-0, 4.50).