The Phillies optioned Backhus to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.
Backhus pitched each of the last two days, so the Phillies will replace him with a fresh bullpen arm. It will be Max Lazar taking Backhus' spot on the roster.
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Phillies' Kyle Backhus: Returns from IL
Rotowire
The Phillies activated Backhus (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday.
Backhus was shelved for almost two months while dealing with left elbow inflammation but has been cleared to return after striking out seven over 4.2 innings of one-run ball on a rehab assignment. He will operate in a middle relief role.
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Phillies' Kyle Backhus: Expected to be activated Monday
Rotowire
Backhus (elbow) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Backhus will make his return to the major-league roster after missing nearly two months of action while nursing left elbow inflammation. The southpaw made five appearances with Triple-A Lehigh Valley during his minor-league rehab assignment, tossing 4.2 innings of one-run ball while striking out seven batters. Backhus will provide Philadelphia with another left-handed option out of the bullpen to go with Jose Alvarado and Tim Mayza.
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Phillies' Kyle Backhus: Going on rehab assignment
Rotowire
Backhus (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.
Backus has been sidelined since late April with left elbow inflammation but is finally ready to test things out in a game setting. Given how much time he's missed, the lefty reliever is likely to require a handful of rehab outings before rejoining the Phillies' bullpen.
Backhus (elbow) played catch Wednesday, MLB.com reports.
Wednesday was the first time Backhus played catch since going on the injured list April 30 due to left elbow inflammation. The southpaw will continue his throwing program, barring any setbacks, and he could be an option for the Phillies at some point in late May or early June. Through 9.2 innings before getting hurt, Backhus posted a 4.66 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 10:1 K:BB.
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Phillies' Kyle Backhus: Gives up one run as opener
Rotowire
Backhus allowed one run on two hits across one inning of work as an opener Wednesday against the Cubs. He struck out one.
Backhus needed 15 pitches (12 strikes) to get the job done in the first inning, but the Cubs, who have boasted one of the best offenses in the majors over the last 10 days, still found a way to score against him. Backhus should return to his regular role in the bullpen moving forward and has been pitching well of late, tossing four scoreless outings over six appearances this month, with a 2.45 ERA across 7.1 innings.
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Phillies' Kyle Backhus: Sent down to minors
Rotowire
The Phillies optioned Backhus to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
He's clearing out to make room on the active roster for Orion Kerkering (hamstring), who is returning from a stint on the 15-day injured list. Backhus has yielded three runs with a 4:1 K:BB over three innings out of the Phillies' bullpen this season.
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Phillies' Kyle Backhus: Traded to Phillies
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The Phillies acquired Backhus from the Diamondbacks on Friday in exchange for Avery Owusu-Asiedu, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Backhus is a sidearming lefty reliever who held left-handed hitters to just a .139/.225/.278 slash 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.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Backhus: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks optioned Backhus to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.
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. He picked up his second save of the season in last Sunday's win over the Twins.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Backhus: Can't convert save Wednesday
Rotowire
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.
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.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Backhus: Earns first big-league save
Rotowire
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.
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.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Backhus: Nabs first big-league call-up
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks selected Backhus' contract from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.
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.
