Angels’ Chris Iannetta needs wrist surgery, could miss 6-8 weeks

— The Angels suffered a significant loss Thursday, on the eve of a highly anticipated series against the Texas Rangers. Chris Iannetta will need surgery on his right wrist, a procedure that is expected to sideline the catcher for six to eight weeks.

Iannetta is hitting .197 with a .312 on-base percentage, three home runs and nine runs batted in. He suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch on May 2, the night he caught Jered Weaver’s no-hitter against Minnesota.

Iannetta played one inning in the next three games, as a defensive replacement, but returned to the lineup Sunday and played three straight games before sitting out Wednesday night’s game against the Twins, when the wrist worsened.

Tests determined Iannetta suffered a fracture in the wrist. He was put on the 15-day disabled list and will undergo surgery Friday in Los Angeles.

Reserve catcher Bobby Wilson, who is batting .222 with one RBI, will take over as the starter, and the Angels will add another catcher Friday.

Hank Conger would have been the logical choice, but the switch-hitter has been on the triple-A disabled list since April 21 because of a sprained elbow, and he has not resumed throwing.

Both triple-A catchers, Robinzon Diaz and John Hester, have some big league experience. Hester played in 53 games for Arizona in 2009 and ’10 and Diaz played in 44 games for Toronto and Pittsburgh in 2008 and ’09.

Diaz is the better hitter, but opponents have been successful on 13 of 14 stolen-base attempts against him this season. Hester is the stronger defender, but he wasn’t in spring training with the Angels and is not familiar with their pitchers.

The Angels could also reach down to double-A Arkansas for Alberto Rosario, who has a very strong arm and caught the Angels pitchers in spring training.

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com