Texas Rangers rumors: Phil Coke throws for Rangers today

Texas Rangers rumors:  Phil Coke, the lefthanded reliever formerly of the Detroit Tigers, threw today for the Rangers and the Blue Jays, per multiple reports.

Coke is a free agent, and the Rangers are lacking in the lefthanded relief pitcher department, particularly after the trade of Robbie Ross to Boston for Anthony Ranaudo last week.

Coke, 32, has a career 4.16 ERA in 398.1 IP, and has been basically a replacement-level pitcher over the past few years, at least in terms of bWAR.  Coke is a groundball pitcher, and has had an elevated BABIP since joining the Tigers in 2010, though how much of that is Coke and how much is a by-product of his defense can be debated.

It remains to be seen whether the Rangers would give Coke a major league deal -- which would necessitate making a move to open a spot on the 40 man roster -- or if they are looking at just a minor league deal.  Coke is probably as good as the other lefty relief options the Rangers have right now, thought that says more about the Rangers' LH bullpen options than Coke.