LAS VEGAS -- Shohei Ohtani is making good progress with his rehab from Tommy John surgery, but it's too early to come up with a hitting plan for his 2019 season, Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Monday at the Winter Meetings.
Ohtani, who underwent the operation on his right elbow on Oct. 1, has been rehabbing in Japan without any issues and will have checkups over the next two months to further gauge his progress. He won't pitch in 2019 but will be able to serve as designated hitter.
"He's doing well," Eppler said. "Great range of motion. Full extension. Full flexion. We're sending some staff over there right now to see him and get another assessment. He'll have his next appointment with a doctor in Los Angeles in January. We're very happy with the way he's coming along. Not surprised."
The Angels aren't sure exactly when Ohtani will be ready to return and how many plate appearances he'll be able to make next season. 
"It's too early to tell right now," Eppler said. "We don't even have a hitting progression today. We won't be able to put that together until his late-January assessment. And then we can start putting some pen to paper and write out a first marker."
Ohtani, 24, won the American League Rookie of the Year Award after starring as a two-way player for the Angels. He hit .285/.361/.564 with 22 homers, 21 doubles and 61 RBIs in 104 games as a position player and posted a 3.31 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 22 walks allowed in 51 2/3 innings as a starting pitcher.

Other injury updates
• Infielder Zack Cozart, who underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder in June, has been hitting off a tee. Eppler said it's likely Cozart won't see live pitching until at least January as he continues to get ready for Spring Training.
"He's cleared to swing," Eppler said. "Anxious. He wants to get some at-bats. I said I can't get you at-bats in November or December."
• Outfielder Michael Hermosillo, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the club's No. 11 prospect, aggravated an injury to his core while playing in the Dominican Winter League this offseason, but he's expected to report to Spring Training without any issues.