Detroit Tigers' Phil Coke Being Replaced by Rookie Charlie Furbush

The fun is over.  This Coke has gone flat.

Tigers' starter Phil Coke is being replaced in the rotation by rookie (and fellow lefty) Charlie Furbush.

Entering 2011, Coke had his eyes set on being a starter.  The Tigers' brass were willing to give him a shot—for nearly half of the season.

Coke started the season decent, often having little or no run support.  But his inability to get key outs is what was likely his undoing as a starter.

Coke never pitched more than seven innings in a game this season. His last five starts were especially rough.  He averaged less than five innings and three walks a game and saw his season ERA balloon to 4.91 over that span.

Coke will move back to the bullpen where he was a key piece last season.  He'll provide a veteran presence in the bullpen that is filled with young arms.

Despite his flameout from the rotation, Coke is still a very important cog in the Tigers' machine, as it was evident the bullpen missed him this season.

Replacing Coke in the rotation is rookie Furbush.  Although not as heralded as fellow prospects Jacob Turner and Andrew Oliver, Furbush ascended to the big leagues thanks to a live arm and a dominating stint in Toledo to begin the season.

Furbush has been solid for the Tigers in relief since a May call-up (2.49 ERA, 17 K in 21 1/3 innings,) but with four left-handers in the bullpen he was used sparingly as of late.

He has been perhaps at his best in long relief for the Tigers, highlighted by five innings of two-hit ball vs. the Red Sox on May 27th.

If Furbush can show the same ability as a starter he did out of the bullpen, he'll provide the Tigers with a vital piece to the rotation and perhaps free up some prospects for Dave Dombrowski to make a deal.

Regardless of how Furbush performs, it was becoming evident it was just a matter of time before Coke assumed his rightful place back in the Tigers' bullpen.