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: Converts second save
Rotowire
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.
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.
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Diamondbacks' Kyle Backhus: Unable to hold lead
Rotowire
Backhus allowed two runs on two hits over one-third of an inning in Monday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to Texas.
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.
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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.
