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Mariners' Ariel Miranda, Guillermo Heredia delayed by visa issues

Seattle Mariners left-hander Ariel Miranda and outfielder Guillermo Heredia were delayed by visa issues and did not arrive in time for the start of Thursday night's 7-2 loss to the Blue Jays in Toronto.

Miranda and Heredia did not travel with the rest of the team to Canada on Wednesday. They both traveled to Toronto on Thursday and joined the Mariners midgame as expected.

The Mariners said the problems were just a mix-up, and manager Scott Servais said Heredia would have been available to play had he arrived at the park prior to the game.

Seattle also was without second baseman Robinson Cano against the Blue Jays. He was a late scratch with a sore right quadriceps muscle, and Mike Freeman started in his place.

Cano suffered the injury Tuesday and aggravated it further during Wednesday's game. He is batting .296 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs this season, and the seven-time All-Star had homered in each of the past two games.

Taylor Motter, the hero of Tuesday night's comeback win over the Phillies, replaced Heredia in left field for the Mariners.

Both Heredia and Miranda are originally from Cuba.

Also Thursday, the Mariners claimed right-hander Casey Lawrence on waivers from Toronto, recalled left-hander Zac Curtis from Double-A Arkansas, and optioned right-hander Dan Altavilla to Triple-A Tacoma.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.