The Los Angeles Angels open up a three-game series against the American League West division-leading Texas Rangers Friday night in Arlington, and before the series opener they made a roster move. With catcher Chris Iannetta out six to eight weeks after surgery on his right wrist on Friday, the Angels have promoted catcher John Hester from Triple A Salt Lake, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
Iannetta was hit by a pitch on May 2, the night he caught Jered Weaver's no-hitter.
Hester, 28, last played in the major leagues in 2010 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He began the year with the Triple A Norfolk Tides in the Baltimore Orioles system, but Hester was released by Baltimore on April 12. The Angels signed Hester on April 22 to a minor league deal. In 18 Triple A games between Norfolk and Salt Lake this year, Hester hit .246/.303/.443 with two home runs.
Hester will join Bobby Wilson for catching duties with the Halos. Catcher Hank Conger, who has an injured right elbow, is about two weeks away from returning to Triple A, per Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com. Gonzalez also reported that the Angels have no plans to trade for a catcher and will stick with their internal backstop options until Iannetta returns.
For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Angels, please visit Halos Heaven. For updates and perspective on the Texas Rangers, head on over to Lone Star Ball or check out SB Nation Dallas.
