Dodgers get bench production from Guerrero

LOS ANGELES -- While Alex Guerrero doesn't have the everyday role on the Dodgers that he covets, the team has utilized the 28-year-old as its go-to pinch-hitter.

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Guerrero is ninth in the Majors with 21 pinch-hit at-bats. His three home runs and nine RBIs lead the Majors among pinch-hitters and he is sixth in hits. Based off his numbers, Guerrero is more effective when coming off the bench. In 29 starts, Guerrero is hitting .267; as a substitute, he's hitting .348.

Overall, Guerrero is third on the team with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs despite only starting in 29 games.

Guerrero opened the season with a hot bat, hitting .423 in April. He approached manager Don Mattingly earlier in the season about playing time, and Mattingly said the conversation was beneficial for both sides.

"He was very respectful and really handled himself great. He handled himself like a true pro," Mattingly said. "You have to speak up for yourself when you think things aren't the way you like them or want them. But he was very respectful and he understands we have a job to do and we have to do what's best for all."

Guerrero can play left field or third base but his fielding has kept him buried on the depth chart behind Justin Turner and Alberto Callaspo at third base and Andre Ethier and Scott Van Slyke in left field. As the Dodgers have gotten healthy, Guerrero's starts have waned -- he made his seventh start in June on Sunday -- but he hasn't brought up the issue to Mattingly in recent games.

"I'm assuming that he thinks he doesn't have to do it more often," Mattingly said. "He could come in and say the same thing again. But he knows that we know where he stands and how he feels about it."

• The Dodgers continue to work their pitchers in rehab outings.

Brandon Beachy started for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday in his second rehab start as he recovers from his second Tommy John surgery. On a 50-pitch limit, he threw 45 pitches over two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and a walk while striking out three.

Relievers Pedro Baez and Brandon League also pitched Sunday for Oklahoma City. League, making his seventh rehab appearance overall, allowed an unearned run on two hits in one inning, while Baez, in his second outing with Oklahoma City, gave up a hit and struck out a batter in one scoreless inning.

Joel Peralta is back with the Dodgers after pitching back-to-back days for Oklahoma City on Friday and Saturday. Peralta said his velocity was at 89 mph in the rehab outings, which is right at normal for the right-hander.

He played catch before Sunday's game against the Giants and will travel with the team to Chicago on Monday.