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.

Angels optioned C Hank Conger to Triple-A Salt Lake.

He was sent out to make room for Tuesday's starter Tyler Chatwood. Conger started out hot in April, but has received only sporadic playing time since the start of June. The 23-year-old will undoubtedly be back at some point later this summer.

Hank Conger is batting just .224/.283/.327 with one home run in May.

He was batting .308 after a three-hit game on May 4 but has seen his average slide down to .247. It had looked like the offensively-superior Conger might have a shot to run away from Jeff Mathis with the starting catcher job, but they've both started 12 games so far this month. The platoon is in full effect.

Hank Conger went 3-for-4 with a walk and a double before being removed for a pinch-runner Wednesday.

Conger has his average up to .308, and he has three homers adn 10 RBI in 52 at-bats this season. Plus, the Angels pitching staff seems to be operating just fine while throwing to him. As stubborn as Mike Scioscia is when it comes to catchers, he still may come around to the idea that Conger is the better choice to start than Jeff Mathis. Certainly he's getting more playing time than was expected at the beginning of the season.

Hank Conger went 2-for-4 in the Angels' 9-3 victory Tuesday over the Athletics.

Conger added a run and two RBI, and lifted his batting average to .306. The young switch-hitter has been out-performing fellow catchers Jeff Mathis and Bobby Wilson at the plate.

Hank Conger hit a three-run homer Saturday in the Angels' defeat of the White Sox.

Conger was making his third straight start behind the plate and probably earned himself more playing time moving forward. He's far more productive than Jeff Mathis.

Hank Conger will receive his third straight start Saturday.

And Jeff Mathis apparently isn't happy about it, as he had a closed-door meeting with manager Mike Scioscia after the lineup was revealed and then refused to talk to the media afterward. When asked if Conger had taken over as the starter, Scioscia said, "No. Getting a look. We're looking for solutions to what was really rough offensive year for us last year." Mathis is a fine defender but is a career .199/.263/.314 hitter, including a .192/.185/.423 mark this season. Conger is batting just .235/.350/.412 so far this year but has significantly more offensive upside.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Monday that Hank Conger could remain the majors for a while.

Conger is buried behind Jeff Mathis and Bobby Wilson on the Halos' catching depth chart, but Scioscia has been finding the youngster playing time and believes that the experience will be good for his long-term development. Conger, 23, is 3-for-12 with a home run so far this season.

Hank Conger will begin the season in the majors.

Conger batted .231 with one homer, three doubles and six RBI over 39 at-bats this spring. We like the kid's potential on offense, but he's unlikely to get much playing time with Jeff Mathis and Bobby Wilson around.

Hank Conger went 3-for-4 with a homer, a double and a walk as the Angels defeated the Royals 14-6 on Tuesday night.

It's probably a case of too little, too late for Conger, who entered the game with a .148 average in 27 at-bats. He's probably the Angels' best offensive option behind the plate, but he's expected to play regularly for Triple-A Salt Lake at the beginning of the season.

Hank Conger (forearm) is back in the lineup as the designated hitter Wednesday.

Conger, who is competing for the backup catcher job, has been sidelined for a few days with tightness in his forearm. He's expected to catch one of the split-squad games on Thursday.

Angels general manager Tony Reagins told Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio that Hank Conger will compete with Jeff Mathis and Bobby Wilson for the everyday catcher job.

Conger has the most offensive upside out of the group, but Mathis is a favorite of Angels manager Mike Scioscia, despite a .199 career batting average. Conger could force his way into the conversation with a strong spring, but we're not too optimistic right now. Chances are, it will be Mathis and Wilson on the Opening Day roster.

Angels prospect Hank Conger has been removed from his team's roster in the Venezuelan Winter League due to a prolonged slump.

Conger made only 36 at-bats before getting the boot. The 22-year-old catcher was hoping to gain experience this offseason against a tough level of competition, but Venezuelan clubs don't care about MLB player development and cut ties with the youngster before he could turn things around. He's likely to open the 2011 season at Triple-A.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia indicated Sunday that catching prospect Hank Conger is likely to open 2011 in the minor leagues.

If Mike Napoli is not moved this offseason and is instead offered arbitration, there won't be room for Conger. And even if Napoli is traded, Conger would likely be a backup to Jeff Mathis, which might stunt the 22-year-old's development. He's better off beginning the 2011 season in Triple-A.

Angels prospect Hank Conger got his first career hit and recorded two RBI in Wednesday's win over the Indians.

Conger, 22, was the Angels' first-round pick in 2005. Since being called up on Sept. 7, he had seen just one at-bat before tonight. The good news for Dynasty owners is that he played catcher tonight, opening the door for dual position eligibility down the road. There has been talk of moving him to first base.