Hester (knee) went 0-for-3 for Double-A Reading on Wednesday in his return from the disabled list.

Hester underwent knee surgery in March to repair a complex tear of his medial meniscus. He is expected to be moved up to Triple-A by early next week.

Hester (knee) was optioned to minor league camp Monday.

He'll likely open the season on the minor league DL. Hester could see time in Phildelphia this season if there are injuries behind the plate, but otherwise, he'll likely serve as depth at Triple-A.

Hester underwent knee surgery to repair a complex tear of his medial meniscus, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Hester is expected to be sidelined for six weeks. He was competing for the Phillies' back up catching job.

The Phillies have signed Hester to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training, Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reports.

Hester hit .261/.338/.411 with six home runs in 241 at-bats for Triple-A Salt Lake City in the Angels' farm system this season. He will likely open next season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Angels sent C John Hester outright to Triple-A Salt Lake.

The 30-year-old backstop spent the majority of the 2013 campaign at Salt Lake, where he slashed .237/.307/.391 with eight homers and 29 RBI in 74 games. He'll continue to function as organizational depth behind Chris Ianetta and Hank Conger.

John Hester left Thursday's game versus the Dodgers after being hit on the left hand by a pitch.

It's not clear at this point whether he'll require X-rays. Hester isn't a candidate for the Angels' Opening Day roster.

Angels recalled C John Hester from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Hester is a career .248/.319/.317 hitter in 80 big league games. He's around for catching depth, nothing more.

Angels recalled C John Hester from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Hank Conger will be promoted Tuesday. The Angels are adding Hester, Andrew Romine and left-handers Nick Maronde and Andrew Taylor in their first round of September callups.

Angels optioned C John Hester to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Chris Iannetta is ready to return from the disabled list, so Hester's presence was no longer needed. The 28-year-old has hit .212/.287/.329 in 38 games this season.

John Hester launched a two-run homer in Friday's loss to the Blue Jays.

He finished the night 1-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBI. His towering home run in the seventh inning tied the game at 5-5 and took Ervin Santana off the hook for the loss. It was the second straight game that Hester has homered in, and he's now batting .288 (17-for-59) with three homers and four RBI in limited at-bats. In deeper two-catcher formats, he could be worth a look until Chris Iannetta returns.

John Hester will make his regular season debut Saturday.

Hester was recently called up to replace Chris Iannetta (wrist) on the active roster. With Hank Conger not expected back until late-May, he'll be forced to serve as Bobby Wilson's backup.

Angels purchased the contract of C John Hester from Triple-A Salt Lake.

He'll back up Bobby Wilson while Chris Iannetta (wrist) is out. Hester is a career .220/.294/.366 hitter over 136 plate appearances in the majors and can be ignored by fantasy owners.

Orioles released C John Hester.

The O's claimed Luis Exposito off waivers from the Red Sox and decided to cut Hester loose to make room. The 28-year-old will try to catch on elsewhere.

John Hester has been sent to the Orioles to complete this offseason's Mark Reynolds trade.

Hester will be sent to Triple-A Norfolk and will provide organizational depth behind Matt Wieters, Craig Tatum, and even Jake Fox. The 27-year-old Hester may have trouble reaching the majors in Baltimore.

Diamondbacks send C John Hester outright to Triple-A Reno.

Hester must have been designated for assignment sometime in the past week or so. Regardless, the Diamondbacks have cleared a spot on their 40-man roster, presumably for Russell Branyan.

Diamondbacks recalled C John Hester from Triple-A Reno.

He'll take the roster spot of Chris Snyder, who was traded to Pittsburgh. Hester has had a terrific year at the plate for Reno, hitting .370 with seven home runs over 138 at-bats. He's struggled in his time with the big club, though, batting just .188 in 48 at-bats. As a backup to Miguel Montero, his playing time figures to be limited.

Diamondbacks optioned C John Hester to Triple-A Reno.

Hester filled in as the Diamondbacks' catcher for the last two months while Miguel Montero (knee) was sidelined. The 26-year-old saw very limited action and hit just .188 with a .250 on-base percentage in 48 at-bats. Montero was activated Saturday in a corresponding move.

Diamondbacks recalled C John Hester from Triple-A Reno.

Hester will back up Chris Snyder now that Miguel Montero is on the disabled list. He hit .328/.375/.535 last year at Triple-A Reno.