Shohei Ohtani is getting "impatient" as he stands seven months removed from Tommy John surgery.
He has taken 32 at-bats in simulated games and says his body "feels great."
The Los Angeles Angels don't plan to use Ohtani as a hitter until next week at the earliest.
"I'm pretty impatient to begin with, so I am getting a little impatient," Ohtani said through an interpreter. "But as I get closer and closer, the more impatient I'm getting."
Brad Ausmus estimated that Ohtani would need somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 at-bats before being activated, adding that he is "getting close."
"Personally," Ohtani said, "I feel like I'm ready to go as of right now."