Angels trade Hank Conger to Astros

The Houston Astros bolstered their depth behind the plate Wednesday afternoon, acquiring catcher Hank Conger from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for minor-league catcher Carlos Perez and right-hander Nick Tropeano, the team announced.

Selected 25th overall in the 2006 draft, Conger has spent his entire-major league career with the Angels, serving as Chris Iannetta's backup for the last two seasons. The 26-year-old hit .221/.293/.325 (79 OPS+) with four home runs over 80 games in 2014, though he's often praised for his defensive work behind the plate.

Only three catchers proved more adept at framing pitches last season than Conger, who also retired 24 percent of potential base-stealers while allowing just one passed ball in 637 1/3 innings.

Tropeano, meanwhile, made his major-league debut last season, crafting a 4.57 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP over four starts for the Astros. Perez, a 24-year-old Venezuela native, has never appeared in a major-league game through seven seasons as a professional.