The Houston Astros obtained catcher Hank Conger in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday for right-hander Nick Tropeano and minor league catcher Carlos Perez.
The 26-year-old Conger batted .221 with four home runs and a career-best 25 RBIs in 80 games for the Angels last season. In the past two seasons, he has a .235 average with 11 home runs.
Conger is expected to back up Astros starting catcher Jason Castro.
“We scouted him extensively this year as a divisional opponent and feel he brings a unique skill set to our organization,” Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said.
Tropeano posted a 1-3 record with a 4.57 ERA in four games for Houston last season. At Triple-A Oklahoma City, he went 9-5 with a 3.03 ERA in 23 games.
Perez batted .259 with six home runs and 34 RBIs in Triple-A last season.