Surprise arrival Manny Ramirez is all smiles yesterday as he waits to take his turn in the batting cage for the first time.

AP / BRITA MENG OUTZEN

FORT MYERS, Fla. — After six full seasons in a Red Sox uniform, the only thing predictable about Manny Ramirez is his unpredictability.

Arriving later than every other position player on the roster, but unexpectedly, three days in advance of when he was expected to report, Ramirez touched down here yesterday, setting off interest and excitement that, for the moment at least, seemed to relegate Daisuke Matsuzaka to a secondary point of interest.

Ramirez arrived in town late Sunday night and told manager Terry Francona that he would be in camp yesterday morning. Still, his arrival caught most everyone else by surprise, especially after last week, when through teammate Julian Tavarez, he announced that he wouldn’t be arriving until Thursday, March 1.

Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, major-league players can’t be compelled to report until today, Feb. 27. But the Sox, after conferring with Ramirez and agent Greg Genske and learning of an illness and recent surgery for Ramirez’s mother, agreed to the March 1 date.

Ramirez, through a team spokesman, declined to address reporters yesterday and not even Genske, accompanied by Gene Mato, another of Ramirez’s representatives, could shed much light on the adjusted timeline.

“He was ready to report,” shrugged Genske, “and he’s excited to be here. … I think it was important for him to report to spring training as soon as his situation would allow.”

Genske refused to answer questions about the slugger’s mother or her condition, saying he didn’t think it would be “appropriate to get into health issues.”

The agent was similarly evasive when the subject of Ramirez’s trade request at the end was introduced.

“I’m not going to comment,” he said.

Genske added that Ramirez was in good health — “He has the green light and is ready to go” — and revealed that he had undergone some rehab work last fall on his knee. Some tendinitis in the knee last August limited his playing time over the final six weeks.

The Sox were unhappy last week when Ramirez used Tavarez as a conduit without intially contacting management or the coaching staff. But Genske disagreed with the notion that the Sox had been miffed and claimed communication with the club regarding his client to be “excellent.”

Both Mato and Genske downplayed media reports last week that Ramirez had been expected to take part in a classic car auction in Atlantic City last weekend.

Asked if Ramirez had ever agreed to be on hand for the auction, Genske said: “Not that I’m aware of.”

For his part, Ramirez playfully reconnected with teammates and took part in the usual array of drills. He underwent a physical early yesterday morning, arrived at his locker just after 8:50 a.m., sorted through some new equipment and spikes and was on the field soon after, welcomed by an enthusiastic gathering of fans.

Francona said he was unsure when Ramirez would take part in exhibition games, but was happy to have his cleanup hitter present and accounted for. He also dismissed suggestions that Ramirez’s tardy arrival served as a distraction .

“It’s not like we didn’t do a drill because he wasn’t here,” said Francona. “It really wasn’t a distraction. We show up and play. … The (other) guys do a very good job (making sure) this is not the big issue it could be. Whatever date he came (to camp), it won’t be a big deal when the season starts.”

Speaking in more general terms, Francona added: “It’s nothing that’s new. It’s nothing that can’t be handled. … My job is to win games, not point out flaws.”

Ramirez’s teammates appeared similarly unaffected by the arrival, with most taking the opportunity to rib Ramirez.

Tavarez jokingly heaved the outfielders belongings onto the floor and asked a clubhouse attendant for $10 so that Ramirez could pay for his hairstyle, which featured braids, some of them tinted red. Catcher Doug Mirabelli rounded the corner, spotted Ramirez and exclaimed: “Whoa! What’s going on here?”

Ortiz, whose unending support for Ramirez seem to wane last fall in the wake of the slugger’s prolonged disappearance from the lineup, embraced his teammate and welcomed him back.

“Everybody is (glad to see Ramirez in camp),” said Ortiz. “It doesn’t bother me (that he reported after everyone else). I think everybody is cool.”

Ramirez faced Matsuzaka in live batting practice session for just three pitches — taking all three without a swing — but earlier had connected on several well-struck line drives against other Sox pitchers.

“He’s not a guy who comes in here and this is the first time he’s picked up a bat (all winter),” said third baseman Mike Lowell. “But the ability to square up a ball probably the first time — he’s got it; others don’t, that’s for sure.”

smcadam@projo.com