KYODO NEWS - Mar 9, 2019 - 11:47 | Sports

Los Angeles Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani resumed throwing Friday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in October.

The 24-year-old Japanese made 60 throws -- 20 tosses at 6 meters, 30 working back to 12 meters and 10 during a cooling-down period at the Angels' spring training complex in Tempe, Arizona.

"I threw lightly with little effort, but I didn't have any problem. I'm glad I was able to do everything on the menu," Ohtani said.

"The best way to (rehabilitate) is to keep doing what I've been doing. I think I can make my return the quickest if I continue to throw at this level and with this program."

Ohtani is not expected to pitch at all in the 2019 season as he continues his recovery from the elbow injury that has kept him off the mound since last September. But he is expected to return as a designated hitter in May.

Related coverage:

Baseball: Shohei Ohtani's success paves new two-way street in the majors

Baseball: No telling where Ohtani's talent may take him: Eppler

While Ohtani threw for the first time in over six months, he does not see himself as behind schedule.

"This is what I expected (the timing) would be, and I'm making the same progress I thought I would," Ohtani said.

"It has already been decided that I'll play as a hitter (this season), so hitting is all I can think about at the moment," he said. "It's not like I threw in the bullpen (today) so I don't see myself advancing to a new level."

In a debut major-league season that earned him AL Rookie of the Year honors, Ohtani batted .285 last year with 22 homers and 61 RBIs in 367 plate appearances. As a pitcher, he went 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 10 starts.