Nieves relishing time back at Chase Field

PHOENIX -- Backup catcher Wil Nieves is back in Arizona and enjoying the view from the visitors' dugout.

Nieves, who spent last season with the D-backs, has played in four games -- all day games -- for the Phillies this season. Three of his four starts have come after night games and he hopes to play in the series finale against his former team on Sunday afternoon.

"I pretty much play twice each week and I was also told to be ready when [starting catcher Carlos Ruiz] needs a rest, so it's a situation I've wanted for a long time," Nieves said. "This manager has a feel for the team and me. He doesn't ask. He explains the situation and tells me he wants me to play. I appreciate that."

Nieves has four hits in 15 at-bats and he has driven in two runs so far this season. He played in 71 games for the D-backs in 2013, in large part because of the back injury to Arizona starting catcher Miguel Montero.

"Miguel wants to play every day. He's a gamer and if I was him, I would do the same," Nieves said. "But Miguel needs rest, maybe one day a week, so he can play the entire season healthy. You play every day and then you add the travel and the stress of a season and it affects you. I watched him do it and I want him to be strong all year."

Nieves signed a one-year deal with the Phillies in December. The D-backs were one of the teams he considered last winter.

"There was some hope that I would come back to Arizona, but baseball is a business and they had to do what was best for them and I had to do what was best for me," Nieves said. "But it's good to be back for the weekend and say hello to my ex-teammates."