Boston Red Sox

Epstein on Manny

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein confirmed today that Manny Ramirez will report to camp on March 1, due to a family matter.

Epstein and manager Terry Francona spoke of Ramirez reporting and being “accountable,” but stressed that this was a message no different for anyone else on the team.

“Manny’s going to be here ready to go March 1,” Epstein said. “He’s got a family situation. The important thing from our perspective, at this point, is that when he does show up on March 1 that he’s ready to go, accountable to his teammates, accountable to the organization.”

Francona also said that he spoke with Manny and his agent last night.

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Pitcher Julian Tavarez told the media earlier this week that Ramirez would not report until March 1 because he was with his mother in Weston, Fla. after she had undergone surgery for a feared tumor. Tavarez also told the Globe’s Gordon Edes this was not the reason Ramirez was going to be late. “Manny being Manny,” he said.

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