SARASOTA, Fla. -- Eleven days later than expected, Ronald Guzmán arrived at Orioles camp Sunday morning. After dealing with a visa issue, the 29-year-old non-roster invitee from the Dominican Republic was eager to get started at the Ed Smith Stadium complex and to join his new teammates.

¡°It was a long wait, but I¡¯m finally here,¡± said a smiling Guzm¨¢n. ¡°I¡¯m very excited to be here, for sure.¡±

Guzm¨¢n is beginning a new chapter of his baseball career in more ways than one. Not only is he joining an unfamiliar organization, but he is focused solely on being a pitcher for the first time in his life.

In 2018, Guzm¨¢n broke into the big leagues as a slugging first baseman for the Rangers. He clubbed 31 homers while racking up 39 doubles and 104 RBIs in 243 games over four seasons (2018-21). But he hit only .227, and his time in Texas ended when he was outrighted and became a free agent after the 2021 season (when he was limited to seven games due to a torn meniscus in his right knee).

While Guzm¨¢n was rehabbing, he kept thinking back to the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, when he played 26 games and spent a good amount of time on the Rangers¡¯ taxi squad. At that time, the team had the idea to let Guzm¨¢n try pitching on the side, something he hadn¡¯t done regularly since he was a 9-year-old in the D.R.

Guzm¨¢n took the thought one step further -- what if he could become a successful two-way player, a la MLB megastar Shohei Ohtani?

¡°That stuck in the back of my head after I missed the season when I got hurt. So I had a long time to think about it,¡± Guzm¨¢n said. ¡°With Shohei doing it in the big leagues, I thought I could do both.¡±

Guzm¨¢n primarily remained a first baseman for the 2022 season, which he spent in the Yankees¡¯ organization. He made 106 appearances for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre, but only one came as a pitcher -- a scoreless one-third of an inning vs. Buffalo on Sept. 28 of that year, his lone pro pitching appearance to this day.

Last spring, Guzm¨¢n was in Giants camp with legitimate two-way aspirations. He was hitting 98 mph with his four-seam fastball, but he recorded an 8.10 ERA in four Cactus League relief appearances -- and then a left forearm strain ended his season before it began.

After making two pitching appearances in the Dominican Winter League this past offseason and spending a large amount of time working on his new craft, Guzm¨¢n made the difficult decision to abandon hitting and attempt to follow a new path as a relief pitcher.

¡°I feel like I had a short career as a hitter. I feel like I had a lot more in me defensively, and offensively, as well,¡± Guzm¨¢n said. ¡°That¡¯s something that it took me a little bit to let go. That¡¯s why I was trying to do both, and I couldn¡¯t focus on pitching 100 percent.¡±

Pitching could be a better way for Guzm¨¢n to get back to the big leagues. The Orioles were intrigued by his potential, so they signed him to a Minor League deal on Jan. 25, then extended him a non-roster invitation to big league Spring Training, which has 62 players in camp.

In the past, Baltimore has had success turning relative unknowns into impact relievers -- such as All-Star right-handers F¨¦lix Bautista and Yennier Cano -- so it could be well worth taking a flier on Guzm¨¢n.

¡°Our reports are that he¡¯s got a great arm. I saw some video on it,¡± manager Brandon Hyde said. ¡°I think we¡¯re just taking a long look at a guy that¡¯s got a great arm from the left side.¡±

Guzm¨¢n is a hard thrower with two types of fastballs (four-seam and two-seam). But he has a full five-pitch mix that also features a slider, a changeup and a curveball.

Over the offseason, Guzm¨¢n spent a lot of time working on the curve, the offering he was least comfortable using in the past.

Guzm¨¢n is now confident in all of his pitches, and he believes he can become a quality MLB reliever for two reasons.

¡°I mean, I can throw the ball really hard. That¡¯s probably my biggest strength,¡± Guzm¨¢n said with a grin. ¡°Also, being a hitter my whole entire career is an advantage for me on the mound.¡±

It won¡¯t be easy to make the eight-man bullpen on Baltimore¡¯s Opening Day roster. It¡¯s an uphill battle for Guzm¨¢n, especially following his late arrival to camp.

But a healthy Guzm¨¢n is ready for his chance to show what he can do, and he hopes to eventually be pitching for the reigning American League East champion Orioles at some point in 2024.

¡°I¡¯m not going to try to go out here and try to make the team in a week, you know?¡± Guzm¨¢n said. ¡°I¡¯m just taking it as it is, and I¡¯ll just stay patient and take the time it takes me to get back in the big leagues. I don¡¯t want to rush it and then something happens. I just want to take it little by little and see where it takes me.¡±