Tigers Starter Out with Bone Bruise
By Editorial Staff
Phil Coke of the Detroit Tigers has been placed on the team’s 15 day disabled list with a bone bruise on his right foot.
Coke was injured while fielding a bunt in the 4th inning of last night’s contest against the Tampa Bay Rays.
In his first two appearances of the year, Coke came out of the Tigers pen as a reliever. Since then he’s started 9 games for the club.
Other than a rough two game stretch where Coke gave up 13 runs in 8 innings, he has been a solid contributor for the Tigers. He had lowered his ERA to 3.81 before exiting Monday’s game.
Detroit has purchased the contract of lefty Adam Wilk from their AAA squad. Wilk, however, will not be taking Coke’s roster spot. Instead he will be filling in for right hander Robbie Weinhardt who was designated by the team earlier today.
The Tigers have penciled in top prospect Andy Oliver to make Saturday’s start in place of Coke, but there has been no official roster move. Oliver came into the year rated the Tigers third best prospect by Baseball America, the team’s best pitching prospect behind Jacob Turner.
Oliver was erratic during his first stint with the club last season, compiling an ERA of 7.36 while allowing 5.3 BB/9. He’s done well this season in AAA, maintaining a 3.26 ERA over 49.2 innings.