“I was confused when they told me (on Tuesday),” said Lee, …. “I thought the reporting date was Thursday, not the 17th. I’ll be there (at Osceola County Stadium) at 7 in the morning on Thursday.”
“It was a misunderstanding. I spoke with the general manager and the front office.”
“We want everybody to be here,” Wade said. “We have 57 guys invited to camp, and that’s the phraseology. You invite players to spring training until the mandatory reporting date. We’d love to have everybody here on the first day, so I don’t want to minimize it in that respect. But at the same time, knowing that he’s healthy — Dr. (Tom) Mehlhoff had a chance to look at his finger several weeks ago and clear him for all the drills — I’m sure when he gets here, he’ll be ready to go.”
Asked what he’ll tell Lee, Berkman didn’t hesitate.
“That he should have been here today, (Tuesday)” he said. “We need him on the team. The reality is no one needs as long as we have to get ready for the season. … But from the solidarity standpoint, I’d love to see him here.” Link