Phil Coke.jpg

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Phil Coke throws during a spring training game against the New York Yankees in Lakeland, Fla. on Friday.

(AP Photo)

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Did Phil Coke struggle Monday or, simply put, did good pitches get hit?

That was the question posed to Tigers manager Brad Ausmus after the St. Louis Cardinals rocked Coke for three runs and six hits in just one inning of work Monday.

And Ausmus' response?

"I don't think you, or myself, should read too much into what happened," he said. "The big picture is he's ahead of schedule from where he was a year ago at the same time."

Coke, 31, is coming off a career worst year with the Tigers -- one that resulted in him being sent to Triple-A Toledo in late August after one of his many poor outings.

But, as it stands today, he still appears to be a strong lock to make the club's opening day roster, and could be heavily relied upon in the bullpen, given the team's lack of left-handed options.

With Drew Smyly now firmly embedded in the Tigers' starting rotation, Coke and newly acquired reliever Ian Krol are essentially the only left-handed relievers that are likely to be considered for filling a late-inning specialist role.

Left-handers Jose Alvarez, Kyle Lobstein and Casey Crosby could also be considered for late-inning work, but it appears those three will compete for a long relief role this spring.

"Quite frankly, from my understanding, (Coke) is actually ahead of schedule," Ausmus said about Coke, who was 0-5 with a 5.40 ERA in 49 games last year.

Coke agreed to a non-guaranteed, $1.9 million, one-year contract with the Tigers in late November, a deal that avoided salary arbitration. He will reportedly get $50,000 bonuses for 60, 65 and 70 appearances.

"He's historically a slow starter, in terms of the velocity," Ausmus said. "And he's historically a slow starter, in terms of the efficacy of his breaking ball."

Despite Coke's shaky outing Monday, Ausmus said he's been pleased with Coke's progress thus far, citing his increased velocity as a major positive this spring.

A notoriously slow starter in camp, Coke's fastball velocity this spring has consistently touched 87-90 mph -- a significant year-over-year increase, according to Ausmus.

"Phil is generally, from talking to him and (pitching coach Jeff Jones), a slow starter in spring training, in terms of his breaking ball and velocity," Ausmus said. "His velocity is six or seven mph faster with his fastball than it was at the same time last year. He's ahead of schedule."

Which is why Ausmus didn't appear too worried following Coke's third appearance this spring -- an outing that saw him give up six straight base hits, including two doubles.

"He's ahead of scheduled, so to speak, so I'm not overly concerned," Ausmus said. "In the big picture, he's ahead."

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