Dustin Nippert #57

Dustin David Nippert...he and wife Carrie have a son, Caden Layne (10/31/06), and daughter, Aubrey Faith (3/28/08)...graduated from Beallsville (Ohio) High School in 1999...his twin brother Derik signed with Arizona as a 36th round selection in the 2003 June draft out of Ohio Valley College.

2009

After spending the first 3 months of the season on the disabled list, Nippert was activated on July 7 and was on the Texas 25- man roster for the duration of the campaign...went 5-3 with a 3.88 ERA (30 ER/69.2 IP) in 20 games/10 starts...recorded 29 walks against 54 strikeouts...opponents batted .245 (64-261), while right-handers hit just .231 (28-121)...was 4-1, 3.38 (11 ER/29.1 IP) in 8 games/4 starts in Arlington, 1-2, 4.24 (19 ER/40.1 IP) in 12 games/6 starts on the road...held a 7.36 ERA (6 ER/7.1 IP) through his first 2 games/starts after coming off the disabled list, but had a 0.95 ERA (2 ER/19.0 IP) over next 6 games/2 starts following All-Star break to drop ERA to season-low 2.73...earned the win in 3 of Rangers' first 6 victories after the All-Star break.

2008

Acquired by Texas just before the start of the season, Nippert went 3-5 with a 6.40 ERA (51 ER/71.2 IP) in 20 games/6 starts over 2 stints in the big leagues...also spent part of the year on rehab and on option assignment with Oklahoma (AAA), where he threw a 7.0-inning no-hitter in late June.

2007

Made Opening Day roster for first time in his career...was 1-0, 2.87 (5 ER/15.2 IP) over first 12 appearances, holding opposition to a .196 average...compiled 3.68 ERA over final 9 games and 7.1 innings beginning Sept. 8, posting 10 K's in that span...appeared in Games 1 and 3 of the NLCS against Colorado, tossing 2.1 innings in the Rockies' 4-game sweep of Arizona.

2006

Nippert, who spent the majority of the season with Tucson, went 0-2 with an 11.70 ERA in two spot-starts for the D-backs. On June 7, he gave up six earned runs over five innings to the Phillies, and on Aug. 5, he surrendered seven earned runs over five innings to the Astros. Nippert is expected to be in the Diamondbacks' plans for 2007 in some capacity. He led Tucson in wins (16) and strikeouts (130).

2005

Had a rapid rise, starting the year in Double-A Tennessee before making his big league debut on Sept. 8 in Pittsburgh. ... Allowed three runs on five hits over five innings before leaving with a torn nail. ... Made two other starts and got his first in on Sept. 29 in LA when he held the Dodgers to one run over five innings.

2004

For the second straight year, Dustin was turning in a productive season, only to be interrupted by injury...he opened the schedule with El Paso (AA), picking up a season-best 9 strikeouts in a loss to Round Rock on April 12...he permitted 3 earned runs or less in 12 of 14 starts, with his best stretch statistically occurring from May 24-June 4, going 2-0 with a 1.06 ERA in 3 starts, fanning 17 in 17.0 innings and limiting opponents to a .151 average (8-for-53)...his season came to a halt on June 27 when he was placed on the disabled list for the remainder of the year...at the time of the injury, Nippert ranked ninth in the Texas League with a 3.64 ERA and fourth with 73 strikeouts...he had "Tommy John" ligament replacement surgery performed by Dr. James Andrews.

2003

During start on June 3 at Burlington, felt sharp pain in his back and left outing...it was discovered that he had a golf-ball sized tumor in the back of his right shoulder...tumor was found to be benign and removed by South Bend surgeon Dr. Stephen Mitros...returned to action less than 2 months later...ranked 4th in Arizona system with a 2.82 ERA...was D-Backs Pitcher of the Month for April...selected as Midwest League All-Star, but did not participate due to DL stint June 14-July 23...went 1-2, 3.60 over 8 starts in Arizona Fall League, posting 30 K's in 30.0 innings (3rd in AFL)...during AFL, worked on his changeup with Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan...was rated top RHP prospect by Baseball America, and also tabbed as having best breaking ball and 2nd-best fastball in the league.

2002

Led Pioneer League (Rookie) and was 3rd among all minor league starters with 12.68 strikeouts per 9 innings...finished 11th among all short-season pitchers with a 1.65 ERA...PL Pitcher of Week, Aug. 19-25.