Dodgers acquire Rob Rasmussen from Astros for John Ely

The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired left-hander Rob Rasmussen from the Houston Astros in exchange for right-hander John Ely, the team has announced:

OFFICIAL: The #Dodgers have acquired left-handed Minor League pitcher Robert Rasmussen from the #Astros for John Ely.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 19, 2012

Ely was selected in the third round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox. After spending two years with Chicago the right-hander was traded to the Dodgers in exchange for Juan Pierre.

Ely appeared in two games last season for the Dodgers, allowing six runs on six hits with four walks and three strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old spent a majority of the season with Los Angeles’ Triple-A affiliate, maintaining an ERA of 3.20 over 27 starts spanning 168 2/3 innings.

Over parts of three seasons at the major league level Ely has posted an ERA of 5.70 over 115 1/3 innings. He’s managed a mark of 4.29 with 7.7 strikeouts and 2.7 walks per nine innings over six seasons in the minors.

Rasmussen was acquired from the Miami Marlins in the Carlos Lee trade earlier this summer. The 23-year-old posted an ERA of 4.25 with 7.5 strikeouts and 3.4 walks per nine innings over 27 appearances, including 26 starts, with the high- and Double-A affiliates of the Marlins and Astros.