Chris Iannetta Sidelined 6-8 Weeks with Fractured Wrist

The Los Angeles Angels have announced they will be without starting catcher Chris Iannetta for the next six-to-eight weeks.  Iannetta has been diagnosed with a fractured right wrist and is set to undergo surgery to repair the injury today.  The Angels are expected to call up John Hester from Triple-A to replace Iannetta on their roster, while former reserve Bobby Wilson will likely become LA’s regular behind the plate.

Iannetta sustained his injury on the same night that he caught Jered Weaver’s no-hitter.  Iannetta wasn’t injured while behind the plate, but instead when he was at the plate.  Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Liam Hendriks hit Iannetta in the wrist with a pitch.

Iannetta was able to finish that game, but he didn’t start for three consecutive games after the no-no.  After returning to the Angels lineup, Iannetta went 0-7 with four strikeouts.

The Angels acquired Iannetta this offseason to boost their offensive production from their backstops.  Unfortunately for Iannetta and LA, the 29-year-old has struggled at the plate so far this season.  Over his 66 at-bats Iannetta has only managed a line of .197/.312/.394.

To replace Iannetta on their roster, the Angels are expected to call up 28-year-old John Hester from Triple-A.  Hester, a career .284/.344/.470 hitter in the minors, will likely backup former reserve catcher Bobby Wilson.

Wilson, who owns a career major league OPS of .602, has only appeared in 12 games and logged 27 at-bats this season.  During that time, Wilson has posted a measly OPS of .522.

The Angels would likely have turned to top catching prospect Hank Conger to fill in behind the plate for Iannetta, but Conger himself is currently on the disabled list for the Angels Triple-A affiliate.

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