Dodgers Trade Ely for Rasmussen

The Dodgers have announced that they've traded RHP John Ely to the Astros for LHP Rob Rasmussen.

The Dodgers have officially acquired LHP Rob Rasmussen from the Astros for RHP John Ely, according to a team press release. The deal opens a spot on the club's 40 man roster, which now stands at 39 players.

Ely, 26, pitched in 2 games for the Dodgers in 2012, posting a 20.25 ERA after allowing 6 runs in 2.2 innings. He fared much better in Triple A Albuquerque, where he posted a 3.20 ERA in 27 starts with 165 strikeouts compared to just 36 walks.

Rasmussen, 23, was dealt to the Astros from the Marlins in July of last season, splitting time between High A and Double A. Overall, he posted a 4.25 ERA in 142 innings, while striking out 7.5 batters per 9 innings. The 5'9 southpaw was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 27th round of the 2007 draft, though he opted to attend UCLA and was taken 25 rounds earlier after his 3 years at school.

While Rob's small stature doesn't lend itself to projection, there are some scouts who see him ending up in the back of a rotation. Others believe his stuff will play up in middle relief. Ely has the repertoire to start and should be given a chance by the Astros, though his modest velocity limits his upisde. He could break spring training with Houston's big league club.