The Rangers traded minor leaguer pitcher Jose Marte to the Arizona Diamondbacks for 26-year-old reliever Dustin Nippert. Nippert is a big boy at 6′8 and weighing in at 225 lbs. and has a hard fastball, but struggled this spring, posting an 0-2 mark with a 14.40 ERA in eight appearances. He gave up 24 hits in 10 innings with 14 walks and eight strikeouts. Marte was 4-4 with a 5.23 pitching in Class A ball last season.
The Rangers have one place left on there roster and are looking to fill it with a pitcher for the bullpen. Right-hander Wes Littleton and Robinson Tejeda had been competing for that final spot, but Nippert is looking to slip in and take it away from both of them. The Rangers are clearly still looking to improve there bullpen by bringing in Nippert, so if he makes the final roster spot look for him to try to prove himself as a good go to guy.