Ramseys theorem for pairs, collection, and proof size

We prove that any proof of a $forall Sigma^0_2$ sentence in the theory $mathrm{WKL}_0 + mathrm{RT}^2_2$ can be translated into a proof in $mathrm{RCA}_0$ at the cost of a polynomial increase in size. In fact, the proof in $mathrm{RCA}_0$ can be found by a polynomial-time algorithm. On the other hand, $mathrm{RT}^2_2$ has non-elementary speedup over the weaker base theory $mathrm{RCA}^*_0$ for proofs of $Sigma_1$ sentences. We also show that for $n ge 0$, proofs of $Pi_{n+2}$ sentences in $mathrm{B}Sigma_{n+1}+exp$ can be translated into proofs in $mathrm{I}Sigma_{n} + exp$ at polynomial cost. Moreover, the $Pi_{n+2}$-conservativity of $mathrm{B}Sigma_{n+1} + exp$ over $mathrm{I}Sigma_{n} + exp$ can be proved in $mathrm{PV}$, a fragment of bounded arithmetic corresponding to polynomial-time computation. For $n ge 1$, this answers a question of Clote, Hajek, and Paris.