Kyle Backhus - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Phillies bolster bullpen with lefty specialist Kyle Backhus in trade with Diamondbacks

The Phillies have acquired left-hander Kyle Backhus from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league outfielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • Associated Press

Traded to Phillies The Phillies acquired Backhus from the Diamondbacks on Friday in exchange for Avery Owusu-Asiedu, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Backhus is a sidearming lefty reliever who held left-handed hitters to just a .139/.225/.278 batting line in 2025. Righty bats slashed .365/.417/.571 off the 27-year-old, so manager Rob Thomson will have to be judicious with his usage of Backhus.

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A The Diamondbacks optioned Backhus to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Impact Backhus has appeared in 32 games out of Arizona's bullpen this season, recording a 4.62 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB across 25.1 innings of work. He picked up his second save of the season in last Sunday's win over the Twins.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Converts second save Backhus pitched a scoreless third of an inning, conceding a walk and a hit-by-pitch before collecting the save in Sunday's 6-4 victory over Minnesota.

Impact Backhus entered in relief of Ryan Thompson to face the left-handed Kody Clemens with two outs and a runner on. The Arizona southpaw then walked Clemens and hit Luke Keaschall with a pitch to load the bases. Backhus finally completed his task by inducing a Matt Wallner flyout on his 13th pitch. The 27-year-old has pitched to a 4.62 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB across 25.1 total frames this season. Even with the Diamondbacks bullpen being a mess, Backhus is likely to remain in a middle relief role.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

McCann homers and drives in 4 runs to help the Diamondbacks beat the Twins, 6-4

James McCann homered and drove in four runs and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Minnesota Twins 6-4 on Sunday to remain two games back in the chase for the NL’s third wild-card s...

SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 • Associated Press

Unable to hold lead Backhus allowed two runs on two hits over a third of an inning in Monday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to Texas.

Impact Backhus entered the top of the ninth inning to close out Arizona's 5-3 lead but couldn't convert on the opportunity. He wasn't charged with a blown save, but it felt like one. The Diamondbacks' closer spot has been in flux since losing Justin Martinez (elbow), A.J. Puk (elbow) and Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) to injury.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Isaac Collins' sacrifice fly lifts Brewers past Diamondbacks 9-8 after blowing 6-run lead

Isaac Collins hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the ninth inning to bring home the winning run, and the Milwaukee Brewers recovered after blowing a six-run lead to beat the Arizo...

AUGUST 27, 2025 • Associated Press

Spencer Steer hits a 3-run homer as the Reds avoid a sweep with a 6-1 victory over the Diamondbacks

Spencer Steer hit a three-run homer in Cincinnati’s five-run eighth inning, and the Reds avoided a sweep by topping the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-1

AUGUST 24, 2025 • Associated Press

Can't convert save Wednesday Backhus (0-2) took the loss and was charged with a blown save against the Padres on Wednesday, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out one batter over one inning.

Impact Backhus got the call in the eighth inning after San Diego put two runners on base with one out. The lefty reliever managed to get the next two batters out to preserve an Arizona one-run lead, but he couldn't carry that over to the ninth. In that ninth frame, Ryan O'Hearn led off with a solo homer that tied the score, and a Jose Iglesias RBI-single three batters later gave the Padres the lead while setting Backhus up for the loss. Backhus had earned his first career save two days earlier and appears to be in contention for save chances in an unsettled Diamondbacks bullpen that just lost Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) for at least 60 days.

AUGUST 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Earns first big-league save Backhus allowed a hit and struck out two without walking a batter over two innings to earn the save in Monday's 6-2 win over the Padres.

Impact Backhus entered the game in the eighth inning when Arizona was up 5-2, and he got a little insurance from his teammates before staying in for the ninth. Backhus was one of three relievers available who hadn't pitched on either of the last two days, so his staying in for a two-inning save was likely a bit of bullpen management by manager Torey Lovullo. The Diamondbacks' bullpen has lost a number of closer candidates, but Backhus is not expected to be at the top of the list -- Kendall Graveman and Jalen Beeks are the current favorites for saves following Kevin Ginkel's (shoulder) placement on the injured list Monday. Overall, Backhus has an underwhelming 3.77 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB over 14.1 innings while adding five holds as a 27-year-old rookie this season.

AUGUST 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Carroll and Gurriel drive in 2 runs each, Diamondbacks beat Padres 6-2

Corbin Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. each drove in two runs, Brandon Pfaadt pitched into the sixth inning, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Diego Padres 6-2

AUGUST 5, 2025 • Associated Press

Tigers beat Diamondbacks 7-2, winning 4th straight after a 1-12 slump

Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs, Chris Paddack threw six solid innings in his Detroit debut and the Tigers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-2

JULY 30, 2025 • Associated Press

Takes loss in ninth Backhus (0-1) was the losing pitcher in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Angels. He allowed one run on two hits and hit a batter over one-third of an inning.

Impact Backhus entered a tie game in the bottom of the ninth inning and got the first batter out, before the Angles walked off with the win. The rookie has emerged as a name to monitor in the Diamondbacks' bullpen, which has suffered a string of injuries to closers. The left-hander entered Friday with a 1.86 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with five holds over his first 10 outings (9.2 innings).

JULY 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss in ninth Backhus (0-1) was the losing pitcher in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Angels. He allowed one run on two hits and hit a batter over a third of an inning.

Impact Backhus entered a tied game in the bottom of the ninth inning in and got the first batter out, before the Angles walked off with the win. The rookie has emerged as a name to monitor in the Diamondbacks' bullpen, which has suffered a string of injuries to closers. The left-hander entered Friday with a 1.86 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with five holds over his first 10 outings (9.2 innings).

JULY 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Moving to high leverage role Backhus will be pitching in high leverage spots going forward, after Shelby Miller (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Impact Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo indicated he'll rely on multiple bullpen arms to close out games following Miller's injury. It started with Kevin Ginkel, who closed out Monday's game after Backhus and fellow rookie Juan Morillo worked the seventh and eighth innings. The manager said both rookies will "get their opportunity," although he didn't specifically say they would close games. The 27-year-old Backhus has a 1.86 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and three walks over 9.2 innings since his contract was selected early June.

JULY 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Naylor homers as the Diamondbacks beat the Padres 6-3 on Machado's big night

Josh Naylor hit a two-run homer against his original team and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat San Diego 6-3 on the night Padres slugger Manny Machado got his 2,000th career hit

JULY 8, 2025 • Associated Press

Padres slugger Manny Machado gets his 2,000th career hit

Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres got his 2,000th career hit Monday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a sharp single off the glove of diving shortstop Geraldo Perdomo

JULY 8, 2025 • Associated Press

Nabs first big-league call-up The Diamondbacks selected Backhus' contract from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Impact Arizona designated catcher Aramis Garcia for assignment to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for Backhus, a 27-year-old lefty reliever who will be making his MLB debut when he gets into a game. Over his 24 appearances at Triple-A this season, Backhus has logged a 2.22 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB across 24.1 innings.

JUNE 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs first big-league call-up The Diamondbacks selected Backhus' contract from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

JUNE 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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