Hanley Ramirez

Boston Red Sox's Hanley Ramirez grimaces while running off the field after he was hit by a batted ball from teammate Xander Bogaerts during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on June 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

BOSTON -- As Hanley Ramirez makes the transition from a left fielder to a first baseman, he will report to spring training camp early. He is scheduled to arrive in Fort Myers with pitchers and catchers Feb. 18 to work with infield instructor Brian Butterfield.

Catchers and pitchers will take part in their first scheduled workout Feb. 19 at JetBlue Park. The first full squad workout with position players is set for Feb. 24.

"So he'll get a full 45 available days to work on the transition to first base," Red Sox manager John Farrell said about Ramirez here at the Boston Baseball Writers Award Dinner media session at Boston Marriott Copley Place on Thursday. "It's probably going to be more the nuances of positioning, cut-offs and relays. Some positioning that we ask the first baseman to do, that Butter asks to do. And just get familiar with (getting) back to the bag. As far as the mechanics of fielding a ground ball, he's done that his whole career."

Ramirez played shortstop his whole career until last year when he transitioned to left field.

"It will require work and repetition but confident he'll be fine at the position," Farrell said.

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Farrell said Ramirez is down to 234 pounds, "which is quite a bit down from where he finished the (2015) season."

BUCHHOLZ TO ARRIVE AT CAMP ON FEB. 1

Also of note, starting pitcher Clay Buchholz is scheduled to arrive at spring training camp Feb. 1.

The righty went 7-7 with a 3.26 ERA in 18 starts during 2015. He spent the entire second half on the DL with a strained right elbow.

"Clay's feeling very good," Farrell said. "We've got a number of guys that are getting down there early February -- he being one of them. Ideally, he'll get anywhere from five to seven bullpens in prior to the start of camp, which is the normal amount for him. ... He's coming into camp no restrictions."