Lo Duca Sprains His Jaw

Catcher Paul Lo Duca suffered a sprained jaw after taking a foul ball off the mask Monday night in a 10-1 loss to the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium.

The injury occurred in the third inning as Jeff Kent fouled off an 0-and-1 pitch from Dodger starter Hideo Nomo.

Lo Duca was on his knees as team trainer Matt Wilson examined him. He remained in the game and flied out batting in the Dodgers’ half of the inning, but was removed after complaining of dizziness and transported to Good Samaritan Hospital.

Precautionary X-rays were negative, Manager Jim Tracy said. Lo Duca, listed as day-to-day, has thrown out 43.1% of would-be basestealers, which leads National League catchers.

“Everything was negative,” Tracy said. “We’ll just wait and see how he’s doing tomorrow.”

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After Monday’s loss, the Dodgers promoted catcher Koyie Hill, infielder Joe Thurston and pitcher Masao Kida from triple-A Las Vegas. They plan to purchase the contract of Las Vegas outfielder Chad Hermansen before today’s game.

Infielder-outfielder Daryle Ward, guaranteed $1.35 million, was not among eight minor leaguers to receive promotions.

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With five innings, Nomo triggered a clause in his contract that increases his 2004 salary to $9 million.