PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 13: Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm (25) pitches the ball during the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals on September 13th, 2025 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA.

Phillies trade Strahm to Royals for Bowlan in reliever swap

6 months ago
Icon Sportswire / Getty

The Philadelphia Phillies traded left-hander Matt Strahm to the Kansas City Royals for right-hander Jonathan Bowlan, the teams announced Friday.

Strahm, a 2024 All-Star, authored a 2.74 ERA with a 2.99 FIP and 10.1 K/9 over 66 appearances this year. The reliever started his MLB career with the Royals in 2016 after the team drafted him in 2012.

Bowlan posted a 3.86 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and 46 strikeouts across 44 1/3 innings during his rookie campaign in 2025.

Strahm, 34, will make $7.5 million next season in his final year under contract. Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Bowlan is under club control through 2031.

The Phillies also acquired left-handed reliever Kyle Backhus from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday for outfield prospect Avery Owusu-Asiedu.

Backhus, 27, recorded a 4.62 ERA with 1.42 WHIP and 7.8 K/9 over 25 1/3 innings as a rookie in 2025. Left-handed hitters slashed .139/.225/.278 against him over 41 plate appearances.

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