Dodgers News: Mattingly Says Guererro Will See Time In Left Field

Despite going 2-4 on their six-game road trip, the Los Angeles Dodgers enter Monday’s contest with the San Francisco Giants sitting atop the National League West standings, largely aided by Alex Guerrero’s hot start and impressive hitting off the bench.

Guerrero’s play has led to many calling for him replacing Juan Uribe as the Dodgers’ starting third baseman. Aside from not wanting to have a quick trigger based on what may be a hot streak, manager Don Mattingly has spoken highly of Uribe’s strong glove at the hot corner.

However, with the outfield depth losing one less player in Yasiel Puig for at least the next two weeks, Mattingly said he may work on getting Guerrero more time in the lineup playing left field, according to the OC Register’s Bill Plunkett:

Good chance you’ll see him out there,” Mattingly said. “Obviously with Yasiel down it changes some things, obviously with the right-hander/left-hander type thing.

Mattingly also mentioned the importance of making sure Guerrero sees game more opportunities during his impressive run:

A guy swinging the bat, you’re going to find a place to play him. That’s just the way this game is.”

Despite only starting in four games, Guerrero his batting .500/.500/1.773. In addition, he has five home runs, the third most in the NL, in just 22 at-bats; his 13 RBIs is also among the best in the league and recently said he believes he’s been underestimated.

Last season Guerrero played in nine games in left field while he was in Triple-A and six with the Dodgers after being called up in September. While Mattingly said he’ll look to get the Cuban native more time, Guerrero wasn’t in Monday’s lineup — seemingly setting the stage for him to deliver in a key pinch-hit situation.

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