Scott Van Slyke outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque

The Dodgers on Wednesday waved goodbye to one Branch Rickey Award winner, but on Thursday retained another. One day after 2012 minor league pitcher of the year John Ely was traded to the Astros, the Dodgers announced that 2011 minor league player of the year Scott Van Slyke cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Van Slyke, 26, was designated for assignment on Dec. 12 to make room on the 40-man roster for the newly acquired Skip Schumaker, acquired via trade from the Cardinals.

Van Slyke saw his first extended look at Triple-A in 2012 and hit .327/.404/.578 for the Isotopes with 34 doubles and 18 home runs in 95 games. In two stints with the Dodgers, his first major league action, Van Slyke had nine hits in 54 at-bats, and hit .167/.196/.315 with two home runs in 57 plate appearances. He played in 27 games for the Dodgers, including seven starts in right field, five starts and first base, and one in left field.

But the writing was on the wall for Van Slyke when he wasn't called up to the club in September when rosters expanded, even though he was on the 40-man roster.