Hank Conger is starting behind the plate Wednesday against the Athletics. It's safe to say that Conger is C.J. Wilson's personal catcher at this point. He's batting eighth Wednesday against left-hander Tommy Milone.

Hank Conger finished 3-for-3 with five RBI in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Mariners. Conger doubled and homered, looking locked in at the plate. He is expected to serve as a fairly active backup catcher this season behind Angels starter Chris Iannetta.

Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com thinks the Angels could use Hank Conger as a trade chip. Conger has always hit in the minors but never received an extended look at the major league level. With Chris Iannetta inking a three-year extension, it would make sense to move Conger while he still has value. He'll compete for the backup job next spring.

Hank Conger (elbow) hit a game-winning single Friday in his return to action for Triple-A Salt Lake. Conger missed more than five weeks due to a sprained right elbow. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said the 24-year-old would be in the catching mix for the big club if he's healthy, so perhaps we'll see him before long. He certainly offers more upside than Bobby Wilson and John Hester.

Hank Conger (elbow) is about two weeks away from a return at Triple-A Salt Lake. Conger has a sprained right elbow but has begun a throwing program. It's a bad time for him to be injured, as he likely would have been promoted following Chris Iannetta's wrist surgery. He could get a shot eventually if he shows he's healthy.

Angels optioned Hank Conger to Triple-A Salt Lake. Conger hit .295 (13-for-44) with one homer, four doubles and five RBI this spring. However, there's no clear path to playing time right now with Chris Iannetta as the starter and Bobby Wilson as his backup.

The Angels will send Hank Conger to the Arizona Fall League in order to work on his defense with catching instructor Orlando Mercado. Typically the AFL is reserved for players with no big league experience, but Conger is still eligible to play in it. Though he's struggled at the plate with the Halos to this point, Conger has significant offensive upside. His defense, though, is lagging behind, and we've learned from the Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis situation that manager Mike Scioscia values defense from his catcher above all.

Reports on Hank Conger's defensive work in Triple-A Salt Lake were "mixed" before his Thursday recall. Conger has yet to live up to Angels manager Mike Scioscia's extremely high defensive standards for a catcher, but with Jeff Mathis hitting .176/.225/.254 and Bobby Wilson batting an even worse .176/.250/.265, the Angels really have no other choice but to turn to Conger as they struggle to stay afloat in the American League West. A career .298/.361/.466 minor-league hitter, Conger has has hit .208/.296/.344 through his first 207 major-league plate appearances.

Angels recalled C Hank Conger from Triple-A Salt Lake. Conger has improved his defense down on the farm and is ready to begin drawing semi-frequent looks behind the plate for the Angels. The 23-year-old catcher batted .214/.297/.357 with five home runs and 16 RBI in 50 games earlier this season.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Tuesday that Hank Conger will not return from the minors until his defense improves behind the plate. "His throwing has been inconsistent," said Scioscia. "He's made some sensational throws, and some where his timing is off. His receiving is better. When he's doing things proficient enough behind the plate, you'll see him here." Conger, 23, is batting .300/.375/.490 with five homers and 26 RBI over 27 games since being demoted to Triple-A Salt Lake last month, but Scioscia will continue to play fantasy non-factors Bobby Wilson and Jeff Mathis behind the plate at the major league level. In a word, frustrating.