The Phillies acquired right-hander Jonathan Bowlan from the Royals in return for left-hander Matt Strahm, who had been rumored to be on the trading block. The move comes on the heels of righty reliever Brad Keller signing a two-year deal with Philadelphia on Thursday.
Bowlan, 29, pitched in 34 games for Kansas City in 2025, logging a 3.86 ERA and holding right-handed hitters to a .182 average. Powered by a strong sinker, he produced a 49.1 percent ground-ball rate in '25. Bowlan pitched in 24 games for Triple-A Omaha, pitching to a 2.25 ERA in 36 innings and limiting opponents to a .178 average.
Strahm, 34, flourished during his three years with the Phillies, posting a 2.71 ERA in 188 games and making the NL All-Star team in 2024. He went 2-3 with a 2.74 ERA in 66 games in '25, striking out 70 and walking 20 in 62 1/3 innings. His first two seasons in the Majors came in 2016-17 with the Royals, who selected him in the 21st round of the 2012 Draft. Strahm is entering the final year of his contract.