March 31--MESA, Ariz. -- Left-hander Phil Coke didn't allow a run in nine appearances and that convinced the Chicago Cubs to add him to the roster and guarantee his $2.25 million salary.
Coke, 32, will be asked to be more than a left-handed relief specialist, and he believes he put himself in a better position this winter by overhauling his mechanics.
That came at the suggestion of former minor league pitcher Dominick Johnson, who resides in a San Diego suburb. Coke, who used to throw across his body, now finishes his delivery square to home plate. The change was necessary because right-handed hitters batted .333 against Coke, who limited left-handers to a .257 mark with Detroit.
Coke became sold on Johnson after the first five minutes and being able to throw to both sides of home plate.
"That right there is enough for me to keep on trucking with what we're doing," Coke said of the help provided by Johnson, who helps pitchers of all ages after pitching in the San Francisco Giants, California Angels and Boston Red Sox organizations from 1987 to 1995.
Coke, who has spent seven seasons with the New York Yankees and Tigers, confirmed he opted out of his contract Friday and that the Cubs had 72 hours to pick up his contract or allow him to become a free agent.
The Cubs didn't announce they had picked up Coke's $2.25 million salary until Monday.
"It's been a phenomenal experience for me," Coke said.
