Coke pitched another scoreless inning Friday against the White Sox, his seventh in a row.

Coke is not on the 40-man roster yet, but he's pitched well enough to head north with the Cubs. In seven innings, he has struck out five, walked two, and given up just three hits. He probably won't be anywhere close to the ninth inning, but he could have an important role in the Cubs' bullpen this year.

Coke signed a minor league deal with the Cubs on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

Coke had a bit of a bounceback with the Tigers in 2014, posting a four-year low ERA of 3.88. The 32-year-old has had his fair share of struggles in late-game situations, but still represents a threat as a left-handed reliever. Per Rosenthal's report, Coke turned down at least one major league deal to instead compete for a spot with the Cubs. At this point, however, he's a long ways away from taking the mound in high-leverage situations.

Manager Brad Ausmus said Coke (back) should be "good to go" Sunday, James Schmehl of MLive Media Group reports.

Coke was unavailable the last couple days due to to lower back spasms, but it appears he should be able to pitch Sunday if needed out of the Tigers' bullpen.

Coke left Wednesday's game against the Royals with a muscle spasm in his lower back, Chris Iott of MLive.com reports.

Coke will be reevaluated Friday, so it remains to be seen how much time, if any, he misses with the setback. Coke has pitched well of late, tallying eight scoreless outings in a row.

Coke was removed from Wednesday's game with an apparent back injury, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.

Coke appeared to injure himself fielding a bunt in the eighth inning of Wednesday's matchup with the Tigers. Expect the Tigers to update his status following the game.

Coke picked up the win Thursday by recording the final out of the ninth inning as Detroit went on to walk-off in the home-half of the frame against New York.

Coke gave up a single before striking out Brian McCann on four pitches. Coke holds a 4.17 ERA and 1.45 WHIP on the season.

Tigers signed LHP Phil Coke to a one-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

The 31-year-old lefty had been considered a non-tender candidate, but the two sides were able to iron out a contract before heading to arbitration. He posted a horrifying 0-5 record, 5.40 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 30/21 K/BB ratio over 38 1/3 innings in 2013, and will work primarily as a situational left-hander.

Chris Iott of MLive.com speculates that the the Tigers may not be willing to offer arbitration to Phil Coke.

The 31-year-old southpaw is coming off an extremely disappointing season, in which he posted an 0-5 record, 5.40 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 30/21 K/BB ratio over 38 1/3 innings. He was left off the team's playoff roster for the ALDS, but returned to pitch in the ALCS, allowing one run in one inning of work. Coke earned a base salary of $1.85 million in 2013, and the Tigers may not want to pay over $2 million for a situational left-hander coming off a career worst season.

Phil Coke will be on the Tigers' roster for the ALCS against the Red Sox.

Coke has dealt with soreness in his flexor tendon since mid-September, but didn't have any issues while throwing in the instructional league. He'll replace Luke Putkonen on the roster.

Phil Coke (elbow) has resumed throwing in the instructional league.

Coke has dealt with soreness in his flexor tendon since mid-September but has felt a bit better of late. It's not clear when he'll potentially be ready for game action, but it's possible he could be an option to be added to the Tigers' bullpen later this postseason should they keep advancing.

Phil Coke (elbow) will not be on the Tigers' ALDS roster.

Coke is dealing with flexor issues in his left elbow and has yet to resume throwing since it flared up on him during a bullpen session last Wednesday. This injury, combined with his struggles this season, makes it unlikely that he'll pitch at all for the Tigers this postseason.

Phil Coke will undergo an MRI on his left elbow Wednesday.

It was determined that he needed an MRI after Tigers doctors looked at him Tuesday. "It just doesn't feel right," Coke said. Even if the MRI should come back clean, Coke has surely pitched in his last game this season.

Phil Coke was sent back to Detroit on Tuesday to have his left elbow examined by team doctors.

Coke felt soreness in his elbow Tuesday morning after throwing a light bullpen session on Monday evening. The left-hander hasn't appeared in a game since last Wednesday.

Phil Coke (elbow) threw a bullpen session Monday.

Coke said he felt "a little tight" but overall was encouraged with how the session went. He should be available out of the bullpen before the end of the regular season.

Phil Coke (elbow) is expected to be ready next week.

Coke has been shut down for the past couple of days due to tenderness in his left elbow. Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Saturday that it's not a major concern.

Phil Coke will be shut down for the next couple of days due to left elbow tenderness.

Coke told Tigers manager Jim Leyland that he had trouble finishing his pitches on Wednesday night. Detroit will want the left-handed reliever rested for the playoffs.

Tigers recalled LHP Phil Coke from Triple-A Toledo.

Coke didn't allow a run over six appearances since being demoted to Triple-A earlier this month. The 31-year-old will return to a middle relief role.

Tigers optioned LHP Phil Coke to Triple-A Toledo.

It's hard to believe he began the season as the team's closer. Coke has posted a 5.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 43 games this season and will work on his command at Toledo. He'll be back on September 1.

Tigers activated LHP Phil Coke from the 15-day disabled list.

Coke was placed on the DL on May 1 with a strained left groin, but returns to the Tigers' bullpen as soon as he's eligible to do so. Luke Putkonen was optioned to Triple-A to make room for him on the active roster. The 30-year-old lefty has been highly ineffective in his first nine appearances, posting an 0-3 record, 8.31 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.

Phil Coke (groin) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment Monday with Triple-A Toledo.

Coke recently threw a bullpen session without any issues, and likely won't need a lengthy rehab assignment. Assuming he avoids setbacks, he could return from the DL on Saturday when first eligible.