Kyle

Backhus

After dealing away left-hander Matt Strahm on Friday morning, the Phillies moved quickly to add another left-handed reliever to their bullpen mix. Backhus, 27, registered a 4.62 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 22/8 K/BB ratio over 25 1/3 innings across 32 appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2025, his first taste of big league action. He’ll add bullpen depth from the left side for the Phillies.

Backhus had a 4.62 ERA, two saves and 10 holds while spending the last three months in Arizona’s pen. He loses his spot now with the Diamondbacks wanting to find out if Philip Abner might be an upgrade.

Ryan Thompson, pitching for a third straight day, opened the ninth with a two-run lead and retired the first two batters he faced. However, after an Austin Martin single, the D-backs went to a lefty against Kody Clemens. Backhus ended up walking Clemens and then plunking Luke Keaschall before getting Matt Wallner to fly out to end the game.

Backhus gave up a single and an RBI triple before Woodford came in and allowed the game-tying hit to Cody Freeman. The D-backs have no closer at the moment, but Ryan Thompson, who pitched a scoreless seventh tonight in his return from the IL, should prove to be their best reliever. If anyone in the Arizona pen is worth rostering, it’s him.

Kendall Graveman probably would have pitched the ninth tonight had the Diamondbacks not scored a run to make it a 6-2 game in the eighth. Backhus stayed in afterwards and notched the save in his 16th major league appearance. The final out came on a 407-foot fly from Fernando Tatis Jr. that would have been a homer in 12 ballparks. It’s unlikely that Backhus will be worth rostering going forward.

Not good. Miller has taken over as Arizona’s primary closer since early May following injuries to A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez. The scary part here is that forearm issues are often a precursor to more alarming elbow concerns. It’s unclear where Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo will turn with Miller on the shelf, but Kevin Ginkel and Jalen Beeks have some closing experience. The wild cards here would be John Curtiss and Kyle Backhus.

Backhus receives his first call up to the big leagues after posting a strong 2.22 ERA and 36/10 K/BB ratio across 24 1/3 innings (24 appearances) this season for Triple-A Reno. The 27-year-old southpaw figures to operate in middle relief for Arizona out of low-leverage spots.