Brad Ausmus says the Los Angeles Angels are hoping to have Shohei Ohtani back and ready to hit "sometime in May."

Ohtani has begun to take some dry swings in the batting cage as he works his way back following Tommy John surgery.

"I'm not going to put a date on it, but we're thinking sometime in May," Ausmus said of Ohtani's possible return date.

Ohtani was medically cleared last month to resume full strength training on his right arm following surgery Oct. 1, including beginning weight training, as the right-hander rebuilds strength on his right side. He is not expected to pitch again until 2020.