DUNEDIN, Fla. — Closer B.J. Ryan said he expects to be ready for opening day after having Tommy John elbow surgery last May.

"It's what I shot for all winter," Ryan said. "You bust your tail the whole time and put myself in a situation where you can break with the team."

Ryan said he thinks his elbow is nearly as good as it was before the season-ending surgery nine months ago.

"I'm probably a couple of bullpen (sessions) short of where I would have been if I didn't have the surgery," Ryan said. "It feels good right now, I am where I need to be."

Ryan signed a five-year, $55-million contract with Toronto on November 28, 2005. After saving 38 games with a 1.37 ERA in 2006, he appeared in just five games last season, blowing two opportunities and posting a 0-2 record with a 12.45 ERA.

He said he worked hard during the winter and has thrown off the mound five times, the last couple times throwing all his pitches.