The Phillies added back some left-handed bullpen depth on Friday, acquiring reliever Kyle Backhus from the D-backs for outfield prospect Avery Owusu-Asiedu.
Earlier in the day, Philadelphia had sent left-hander Matt Strahm to the Royals for right-hander Jonathan Bowlan, a move that helped clear salary for 2026 after the Phillies signed late-inning reliever Brad Keller to a two-year, $22 million deal on Thursday.
Backhus, a sidearming lefty who throws a low-90s sinker and upper-70s sweeper and changeup, made his MLB debut for Arizona last season. The 27-year-old made 32 relief appearances and posted a 4.62 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings.
The D-backs got back the 22-year-old Owusu-Asiedu, a right-handed-hitting center fielder who was a ninth-round Draft pick in 2023.
Owusu-Asiedu spent the 2025 season split between the Phillies' Single-A and High-A affiliates and batted .258 with seven home runs and 33 stolen bases in 107 games.
The trade also opens up a spot on Arizona's 40-man roster after the D-backs reportedly agreed to a deal to bring back starting pitcher Merrill Kelly last weekend.