Dodgers trade Ely to Astros

HOUSTON (AP) -- The Astros have traded minor league left-hander Rob Rasmussen to the Los Angeles for right-hander John Ely.

The 26-year-old Ely spent most of last season with Triple-A Albuquerque, where he went 14-7 with a 3.20 ERA in 27 starts. He is 4-13 with a 5.70 ERA in 19 big league starts and six relief appearances with the Dodgers during the last three seasons.

Rasmussen was a combined 8-11 with a 4.25 ERA in 26 starts and one relief appearance for Class A Jupiter and Double-A Corpus Christi last season. The 23-year-old left-hander was acquired by Houston from Miami in July's Carlos Lee trade.