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Cobb slated to pitch simulated game Tuesday

BOSTON -- Rays right-hander Alex Cobb's return is back on track after a blister on his right index finger took him out of a rehab start last week.

Cobb will pitch three innings and throw about 40 to 50 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday at Class A Charlotte.

He'll have to make at least one rehab start after that and potentially more before he can return to the Majors.

"We want him to have a rehab start or starts, but we want to make sure he'll get through this whole thing and we'll reevaluate after that," manager Joe Maddon said.

Cobb was originally sidelined with a concussion when he was hit in the head with a line drive by Kansas City's Eric Hosmer on June 15 and left on a stretcher.

He was on track for a quick recovery, but a blister forced him out of a rehab start July 23.

Cobb was 6-2 with a 3.01 ERA before the injury, but the Rays have fared well in his absence.

Tampa Bay's rotation has been a big reason the Rays have been able to win 21 of their last 25 games.

"It's kind of interesting and unique that we've been able to recover with [Cobb] being out this long," Maddon said.

Michael Periatt is an associate reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @Michael Periatt.
Read More: Tampa Bay Rays, Alex Cobb