Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani returned to Tokyo Tuesday a member of the Los Angeles Angels, having made his career-changing major league team choice this past weekend.

The pitcher-slugger, who joined the Angels via the posting system, did not stop to speak to reporters at Haneda airport and headed straight to the Nippon Ham Fighters' facility in Kamagaya, Chiba Prefecture.

The 23-year-old will continue to rehab from ankle surgery he underwent in October while preparing for spring training which starts February in Tempe, Arizona.

After playing light catch and doing sprint drills on Tuesday, Ohtani hit from a pitching machine for the first time since he went under the knife and proved that he is well on track to recovery.

"I want to be in perfect shape (by spring training). I slept through my flight so I feel rested," Ohtani said.

"They let me have surgery quickly. I've been thinking ahead so I can be in 100 percent condition when I start next year. So far so good," he said.

According to Angels general manager Billy Eppler, pitchers and catchers will report to camp on Feb. 13 and begin training the following day, while the reporting date for position players is Feb. 19.

Ohtani, the most intriguing player available in the MLB offseason, had 21 days to sign with a major league team but picked the Angels only seven days after he was posted by the Fighters, where he spent the first five seasons of his professional career.

Speaking at Lake Buena Vista in Florida where baseball's winter meetings are being held, Eppler said Sunday that Ohtani underwent tests at a Los Angeles hospital and received medical clearance for his ankle.

The 42-year-old GM also said he does not see any reason why Ohtani should not be on the same pitching workout program as his teammates and expects him to fly to Arizona few days before Feb. 13.

On Tuesday, Ohtani said he realizes adjusting to a new environment will be key, but he has been told by (his agent) CAA Sports that he should focus on playing baseball and let his representatives take care of the rest.

The Angeles play their first preseason game against the Oakland Athletics on Feb. 23.