The Seattle Mariners reinstated Japanese reliever Yoshihisa Hirano from the injured list Friday after deactivating him following a positive test for the novel coronavirus.

The 36-year-old Hirano joined the Mariners during the offseason after two years with the National League's Arizona Diamondbacks and 12 with the Orix Buffaloes of Japan's Pacific League.

Yoshihisa Hirano of the Seattle Mariners stands in the bullpen before a game against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park on August, 21, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won 7-4. (Getty/Kyodo)  

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Seattle manager Scott Servais said he was keen to have a pitcher with Hirano's experience in the bullpen, but first wanted to use him in less-intense situations to ease him back into action.

The right-hander resumed training this month at the Mariners' Triple-A team's facilities.