Prior to tonight’s game with the Texas Rangers, the Yankees announced that they have acquired lefty reliever Phil Coke from the Lancaster (Pa.) Barnstormers of the Independent League. Coke will report to triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
This will be Coke’s second go-around with the Yankees. He was drafted in the 26th round of the 2002 amateur draft by New York, and made his MLB debut on Sept. 1, 2008. Coke appeared in 84 games as a Yankee over parts of two seasons, compiling a record of 5-2 with a 3.74 ERA. He was part of the 2009 World Champion team, throwing 2.2 innings over six games in the playoffs.
Coke was then traded to Detroit along with Austin Jackson as part of a three-team deal that brought Curtis Granderson to the Bronx. Coke spent five seasons with the Tigers, going 17-14 with a 4.25 ERA over 299 games. He even started 15 games for the Tigers over that span.
Since his days in Detroit, Coke has bounced around the Cubs, Blue Jays, A’s, and Braves organizations before ultimately landing in the Independent League for 2016. He made one start for the Barnstormers this year, going four innings and giving up two earned runs on six hits. He’ll likely serve as organizational depth since a handful of Yankees relievers have already been lost to injury.
With Nick Swisher back in the organization, it’s feeling like 2009 again.
The Yankees acquired LHP Phil Coke from the Atlantic League. He’ll report to Triple-A Scranton.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) April 25, 2016
