ANAHEIM -- If David Eckstein had things his way, he would have been in the starting lineup for the Angels-Royals game on Friday night.

The Angels aren't about to clear the shortstop to play in games, but after another solid workout on the field on Friday, he's close.

"I feel really good," Eckstein said about 10 times during a brief interview following his workout. The Angels shortstop has been on the disabled list since Aug. 18 because of nerve irritation in his right hamstring.

Eckstein said he has been doing agility drills and hitting since last week and ran at "about 60 or 70 percent" on Friday. It was the first time he ran since going on the DL.

"I definitely feel like I'm going to be playing soon," he said.

How soon is a big question, and it's a question Angels manager Mike Scioscia didn't feel like giving a definitive answer to Friday.

"He's back into baseball activities, which is a major step," Scioscia said. "Hopefully, he'll progress and get into better shape. We're not going to be able to answer the question until he makes more progress."

Meanwhile, Darin Erstad ran in the outfield and took batting practice as well. Erstad, who has been kept out of the lineup for over 70 games this year because of tendinitis in his right hamstring, is more of a long shot to come back this season.

And Eckstein's backup at shortstop, Alfredo Amezaga, continued to improve after suffering a partial tear of the labrum on Aug. 26. Amezaga played catch, marking the first time he's thrown since the injury.