Dustin

Nippert

Nippert’s comeback from Tommy John surgery just couldn’t be going any better. He’s 7-3 with a 2.47 ERA, 75 H and 78/30 K/BB in 94 2/3 IP.

Nippert is starting in place of Brandon Webb tonight against the Astros.

Nippert surrendered three homers tonight and has given up five in his two starts this year. The Diamondbacks will probably send him back to Triple-A prior to Sunday’s game.

Nippert probably would have been sent down today regardless of what he did on Saturday night. Still, his poor performance against the Astros didn’t help his chances of returning in a significant role in September.

He’ll take Brandon Webb’s (elbow) place in a matchup with Roger Clemens. Nippert has had a lot of success winning games at Triple-A this season, but his ERA has been around 5.00 for much of the year.

Nippert gave up six runs in five innings in his start Wednesday. He’ll likely get another chance before the end of July, and it’s possible that he’ll have some value in NL-only leagues down the stretch.

Nippert was ineffective earlier this month in his lone start for the Diamondbacks, and his ERA at Tucson is up to 4.50. If this keeps up, it might be Micah Owings who claims the next opening in Arizona’s rotation.

Nippert will replace Juan Cruz in the rotation. He is one of the best pitching prospects in the Diamondbacks’ system, but we doubt his stay with the team this time will be more than a few starts. He is 7-1 with 3.47 ERA in 10 starts at Triple-A Tucson this season.

Enrique Gonzalez is also joining the team, but Nippert will start today. Gonzalez would have needed to go on three days’ rest in order to work today. It might be that Nippert will return to the minors after the game if the Diamondbacks want to put Gonzalez back into the rotation.

Enrique Gonzalez relieved him and allowed one run in three innings. The Diamondbacks might demote Nippert and call up Greg Aquino to join the pen. Gonzalez would then move back into the rotation next week.