The visit to Walter Reed was not required of any of the players, although starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey wrote on the clubhouse message board beforehand that the visit was mandatory. Pelfrey said he did so because he wanted to encourage the whole team to take part in the visit. In recent seasons, he said, not enough players had taken part in the trips to Walter Reed.
“They make a lot of sacrifices that a lot of people wouldn’t be willing to make, and I think the least that we could do is show up and show them our appreciation and tell them thanks,” Pelfrey said of the soldiers. “I thought it was important for everybody to be there.”
via Mets 3, Nationals 2 – Mets Win, but Walter Reed Visit Remains an Issue – NYTimes.com.