Bocachica Suffers Sprained Ankle

Hiram Bocachica suffered a sprained right ankle Wednesday during a workout at Dodger Stadium and might be put on the disabled list.

Manager Jim Tracy said the injury occurred when the rookie infielder fielded a ball near second base and turned awkwardly on the ankle.

Trainer Matt Wilson and infielder Jeff Reboulet helped Bocachica off the field, and team medical personnel wrapped his ankle. X-rays were negative.

“It’s the size of a tennis ball right now,” Tracy said. “It’ll probably get larger, so we’ll see how he’s doing [today].”

Bocachica--batting .246 with two home runs and nine runs batted in--impressed recently while subbing for second baseman Mark Grudzielanek.

“This is nothing that we haven’t dealt with up to this point,” Tracy said, alluding to a rash of injuries this season. “We’ll see what happens.”

Many players and employees knew Pat McKernan, longtime president and general manager of the Albuquerque Dukes, who died Tuesday at 60.

Albuquerque was the club’s triple-A affiliate from 1972 until last season.

The Dodgers said McKernan will be missed.

“He treated me very well in my seven years in Albuquerque,” trainer Stan Johnston said. “He was very respected in the [Pacific Coast League] and well-known. He won the [executive of the year] several times.

“He ran a tight ship. He wanted to be involved with everything with the team, he had a rough exterior up front, but deep down he had a big heart.”

Right-hander Luke Prokopec, who has had blister problems, is wearing a ceramic nail on the middle finger of his pitching hand to protect his skin.

“I looked at it today and it looks much better,” Tracy said of Prokopec’s finger. “Hopefully, that will help that situation.”

Prokopec is scheduled to start Saturday against the Oakland Athletics at Network Associates Coliseum.