Dodgers ship pitcher John Ely to Houston

On Wednesday the Los Angeles Dodgers made another significant move by trading right hander John Ely to the Houston Astros for former UCLA pitcher Rob Rasmussen.
This is a home coming of sorts for Rasmussen who grew up in Arcadia, played his high school baseball at Pasadena Poly and continued his collegiate career at UCLA.

Ironically back in 2007, the Dodgers drafted Rasmussen in the 27th round of the amateur draft, but elected to attend UCLA.

Rasmussen was selected by the Miami Marlins this time in the second round of the 2010 amateur draft and then traded to Houston on July 2012 as part of the trade that sent an unhappy Carlos Lee to Miami and away from the Astros.

John Ely who was acquired in a trade in 2009 with the Chicago White Sox. Ely went a disappointing 4-13 with a 5.25 ERA in 25 games over three seasons with the Dodgers.

In three minor league seasons, Rasmussen 20-21 with a 3.88 ERA in 60 games that included 53 starts.

The Dodgers have 39 players on their 40 man roster.
Look for the Dodgers to continued tweaking their roster over the course of this off season.