Conger will draw his second straight start behind the plate Sunday against the Blue Jays.

The decision is a surprising one, as Conger's .172 average didn't exactly have him making a case for more playing time. However, regular backstop Jason Castro is struggling as well, and Conger's superior on-base skills (he's walked eight times in 38 plate appearances) might be enough for him to turn the position into a timeshare.

Conger hit a two-run homer Sunday to send the Astros to a 6-4 win in 14 innings against the Rangers.

Conger entered the game as a defensive replacement in the 12th inning, and when he came to bat in the 14th inning, he hit the first pitch he saw 377 feet over the right-center field wall. The Astros' No. 2 catcher has never hit for a high average, but he's an upgrade offensively over last year's backup Carlos Corporan. Conger is expected to spell starter Jason Castro once or twice per week.

Conger will get his first start of the season Thursday, the Houston Chronicle's Jose de Jesus Ortiz reports.

Jason Castro was due for a day off, and things have settled in so far with Conger being pegged as the clear backup.

Conger hit his first home run of the spring Wednesday against the Phillies.

"I thought he worked our guys very, very well," manager A.J. Hinch said of Conger. "He had a couple key pitch calls that got us out of a couple runners-on-base situations. I thought he swung the bat very well. He had a great baserunning play that'll go unnoticed, so he had a good all-around day." The 27-year-old catcher is only hitting .222 (6-for-27) through 10 spring appearances, but he's made a good impression on his new club and is over the minor wrist injury that bothered him early in camp.

Conger (wrist) is expected to catch in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Conger experienced left wrist soreness after sleeping on it wrong, but it turned out to be nothing serious as he's slated to make his first spring appearance for the Astros over the weekend. Both he and Jason Castro are expected to see time behind the plate in the game.

Conger is dealing with a bothersome left wrist, however the injury is considered minor and he could catch in Grapefruit League games this weekend, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Conger, who was acquired by the Astros via trade in November, is expected to serve as the team's No. 2 catcher behind Jason Castro this season. However, if Castro's offensive struggles from 2014 carry over into this season, we could see more of an even split behind the plate.

Conger and the Astros avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.075 million deal Friday, Houston Chronicle writer Evan Drellich reports.

Traded to Houston in November, Conger finds himself for competing for playing time against a fellow disappointing former first-round pick in Jason Castro, though Castro is likely the favorite to stay in the lead given his superior stats with batting average and power.

Conger was acquired by the Astros in exchange for Carlos Perez and Nick Tropeano.

Conger hit .221/.293/.325 in 80 games for the Angels last season mainly backing up Chris Ianetta behind the plate. Jason Castro held down the catching duties for the Astros last year, but hit just .222 in 126 games, so Conger could challenge for the starting role in spring training.

Conger went 1-for-2 with a home run and two walks in a loss to the Mariners on Thursday.

The homer was Conger's first since May 11. The 26-year-old is thought to be the heir apparent to the catcher position for the Halos, as he was a first-round draft pick in 2006, but his .625 OPS this season has allowed Chris Iannetta to receive the bulk of time behind the dish.

Hank Conger finished 3-for-4 with a homer and five RBI in the Angels' 9-3 rout of the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Conger hit an RBI double in the fourth inning, a three-run homer in the sixth inning, and an RBI single in the ninth inning. He still isn't getting much playing time behind Chris Iannetta but has made the most of these limited opportunities, batting .314/.364/.569 with three homers and 13 RBI in 51 at-bats. The Angels (19-17) are two games over the .500 mark for the first time in two years.

Hank Conger went 2-for-3 with a walk and a home run as the Angels defeated the Indians on Wednesday.

Conger swatted his second home run of the season in the second inning off of Zach McAllister, a two-run blast. Conger, the Angels' back-up catcher behind Chris Iannetta, has been remarkably productive in his limited playing time, slashing .324/.361/.588 after Wednesday's performance.

Hank Conger went 2-for-5 with his first home run of the season in a win over the Mets on Sunday.

Conger had one of four home runs off Mets starter Bartolo Colon, a two-run shot in the fifth inning. He also doubled and scored two runs in the game. He's used sparingly as the backup to Chris Iannetta, but Conger's bat may eventually force the Angels to flip their roles.

Hank Conger slugged a go-ahead two-run homer in the Angels' 6-5 defeat of the Brewers on Saturday.

Some late-August excitement for this disappointing Anaheim team. Josh Hamilton hit a two-out pinch-hit double and then Conger was picked to hit for reliever Dane De La Rosa and came through with a heroic blast. Conger is slugging .440 with seven homers in 191 at-bats.

Hank Conger went 1-for-3 with a walk, double, RBI and run scored in Thursday's win over the Yankees.

It was Conger's first double, walk and RBI of August, and just his second run scored. Conger hasn't fulfilled his offensive potential to date, and he doesn't play enough to factor into mixed leaguer's plans. Conger, batting .239, has collected six homers and 15 RBI over 159 at-bats.

Hank Conger homered off Chris Iannetta to plate the Angels' only two runs Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Conger's bat and improved throwing have him in line for more playing time behind the plate in Anaheim. The Angels should also think about DHing him once in a while, considering that he has a better OPS against right-handers than either Mark Trumbo or Albert Pujols.

Hank Conger went 2-for-4 and hit his fourth homer against the Orioles on Wednesday.

Conger has three homers and a double in his last five starts. He's not going to capture much additional playing time for Chris Iannetta, but it'd be interesting to see what he could do if given the occasional start at DH.

Hank Conger is starting behind the plate Wednesday against the Athletics.

It's safe to say that Conger is C.J. Wilson's personal catcher at this point. He's batting eighth Wednesday against left-hander Tommy Milone.

Hank Conger finished 3-for-3 with five RBI in Monday's Cactus League loss to the Mariners.

Conger doubled and homered, looking locked in at the plate. He is expected to serve as a fairly active backup catcher this season behind Angels starter Chris Iannetta.

Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com thinks the Angels could use Hank Conger as a trade chip.

Conger has always hit in the minors but never received an extended look at the major league level. With Chris Iannetta inking a three-year extension, it would make sense to move Conger while he still has value. He'll compete for the backup job next spring.

Hank Conger (elbow) hit a game-winning single Friday in his return to action for Triple-A Salt Lake.

Conger missed more than five weeks due to a sprained right elbow. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said the 24-year-old would be in the catching mix for the big club if he's healthy, so perhaps we'll see him before long. He certainly offers more upside than Bobby Wilson and John Hester.