Mike Davis Severely Sprains His Left Ankle

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Dodger right fielder Mike Davis suffered a severely sprained left ankle while running on the pockmarked outfield turf here Monday night before the Dodgers’ scheduled benefit game against the Montreal Expos.

Davis had to be helped from the field and, after being examined by team physician Dr. Frank Jobe, was later taken to a local hospital for X-rays, which showed no fracture. Jobe said Davis will probably miss one or two weeks, though the doctor said it was only a “grade 2” sprain. Jobe said the sprain was located on the outside of Davis’ left ankle and that the ankle swelled considerably but that Davis was able to walk on it.

“(Davis) said he had sprained the ankle several years before, and people who have had them before are more prone to re-injury,” Jobe said.

Meanwhile, in Vero Beach, Fla., the Dodgers who did not make the trip beat the Boston Red Sox, 3-2, in 10 innings. Dodger utility man Mickey Hatcher strained his left hamstring, and his status is listed as day-to-day. Hatcher was hampered by a hamstring injury late last season.

Also, X-rays on Jay Howell showed nothing more severe than the original diagnosis of a sprained joint in his lower back. Dodger trainers list him as day-to-day.