SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — San Francisco second baseman Freddy Sanchez has begun taking swings off a tee and considers himself ahead of schedule as he recovers from a procedure on his nonthrowing left shoulder.

Still, Sanchez is set to begin the season on the disabled list.

"That hasn't changed," general manager Brian Sabean said. "The optimism is great but that doesn't mean a whole lot. He needs to be game-ready and until he plays a game we can't have a timetable."

A three-time All-Star and the 2006 NL batting champion with Pittsburgh, Sanchez underwent the shoulder procedure Dec. 23. He's also coming off left knee surgery late last season.

"I'm hitting off the tee and throwing. It's going all right. I'm ahead of schedule, so that's good," Sanchez said Tuesday. "I'm ahead of where they thought I would be but we don't have a timetable or anything like that. From where I started to where I'm at now is huge. The trainers didn't expect me to be this far this soon. I'm not even at the 11-week mark. It's definitely encouraging."

Sanchez agreed to a $12 million, two-year contract with the Giants Oct. 30. He was acquired July 29 in a trade with the Pirates but was limited to 25 games for San Francisco because of injuries.

Sanchez had an MRI exam on his shoulder before signing the new deal, but the Giants didn't think he needed shoulder surgery.

While rehabbing from the knee surgery, Sanchez started his offseason conditioning and baseball activities. That's when he felt serious discomfort in his shoulder.

He's not sure when the next step will be in his rehab program.

"Going from the tee to soft toss isn't that big of a deal but when you go from soft toss to out on the field and cage work, that's a huge difference," Sanchez said. "We'll just take it one step at a time."