Phillies Announce Trade After Matt Strahm News

With Strahm off the roster, the bullpen’s depth, particularly among left-handed options, took a hit. Philadelphia’s front office moved quickly to address the void, announcing another trade just hours after dealing Strahm on Friday.

The Phillies acquired left-handed reliever Kyle Backhus from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for outfielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu.

“Makin' more moves We've acquired Kyle Backhus from the Arizona Diamondbacks,” the team wrote on X.

Owusu-Asiedu is considered a low-level prospect in Philadelphia’s system and is not close to making an impact at the big-league level. Backhus, on the other hand, should immediately provide depth in the bullpen.

The 27-year-old southpaw appeared in 32 games last season for Arizona, posting a 4.62 ERA with 22 strikeouts and two saves. While he may not replicate Strahm’s level of production, Backhus brings a fresh arm and another left-handed option for manager Rob Thomson to work with.

The Phillies have emphasized the importance of bullpen versatility in recent years, and Backhus fits that mold. His ability to handle middle relief and provide innings against left-handed hitters makes him a valuable addition. Philadelphia’s quick response to Strahm’s departure shows the organization’s commitment to maintaining balance and depth.

While Backhus is not expected to be a star, his presence stabilizes the relief corps and gives the Phillies another option to lean on as they prepare for the 2026 season. Combined with the rest of the bullpen mix, Philadelphia hopes the transition from Strahm to Backhus will be smooth enough to keep the team in postseason contention.