Fukuoka Softbank Hawks right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has been sidelined since the start of the season with fatigue in his right shoulder, played a light game of catch to assess his progress at the team’s clubhouse facility on Tuesday.

Matsuzaka, 34, threw about 140 balls from a distance of nearly 40 meters.

“It’s steadily getting better. I just want to progress one day at a time,” said Matsuzaka after his workout at the facility.

No timetable has been given to when the former major leaguer will return, but his condition appears to have improved since a discussion on April 2 with Hawks manager Kimiyasu Kudo in which he complained of fatigue.

“I don’t have any (fatigue) now,” said Matsuzaka, who is expected to gradually toss from longer distances and eventually throw a bullpen session.

“Since I’ve been resting it’ll take more time. I want to hurry back, but the skipper has even told me that he doesn’t want to set a time limit.”

Hawks trainer Kazuhiko Tanaka said, “His movement is gradually getting better.”