Let the Vidal Nuno Era Begin

Vidal Nuno will be making his Arizona Diamondbacks debut tonight. Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight marks another important chapter in the history of the Arizona Diamondbacks. OK not really, but we do get a chance to see the D’backs’ debut of Vidal Nuno, acquired over the weekend from the New York Yankees in exchange for Brandon McCarthy. Nuno better be on his “A” game this evening as the Snakes’ offense dished out nine runs and 11 hits in support of Chase Anderson last night. Given how this season has gone, two runs may be all the 26-year old left-hander gets.

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I know the numbers in 2014 are downright ugly for Nuno. 2-5 with a 5.42 ERA has a habit of making pitchers look bad. He has gone seven innings only once in fourteen starts. Perhaps Arizona could have gotten a better haul for McCarthy for a guy who has an even worse ERA than what he has. However, maybe the guy just needs a change of scenery and a reunion with former Yankee pitching coach Mike Harkey can be the impetus to help salvage Nuno’s first full Major League season. Maybe he pitches well enough to be considered a candidate for next year’s rotation. Maybe he is just a guy to get the team until the end of the season. Whatever lies in Nuno’s future, let’s hope that his present can string together a slew of quality starts.

The last Yankee pitcher to come to the D’backs via trade was Ian Kennedy. If you recall, his numbers were even more atrocious: 0-4 with a 8.17 ERA in 2008. Does this mean Nuno can turn it around in a new zip code like Kennedy? We don’t know.  We hope he performs well and helps the team play better ball in the second half. For those expecting the worst, I have this to say: just give Vidal a chance.