Matt Kemp says his surgically repaired left shoulder is healing "ahead of schedule" and he's optimistic he will be ready for Opening Day.

"That's my goal," he said. "I'm hitting off the tee, no soft toss yet. I have my good days and bad days. It's still a little sore. But being ready for the season is all that matters."

Kemp had significant surgery to repair a labrum injury, sustained when he smashed into the center-field wall at Coors Field on Aug. 27.