With one deal done, Milwaukee Brewers may have more in mind

More deals brewing?

The Milwaukee Brewers got a big jump on the rest of baseball when they traded for New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez nearly three weeks before the trade deadline.

Don’t expect the Brewers to stop there.

With MVP candidate Prince Fielder unlikely to be back after this season, the Brewers are under pressure to win now and will probably continue tinkering with their roster in an effort to make that happen.

One preseason trade that’s gone all but overlooked has contributed mightily to making the Brewers contenders. A week before opening day, the Washington Nationals, contemplating releasing speedy outfielder Nyjer Morgan, instead sent him to Milwaukee for minor leaguer Cutter Dykstra and pocket change.

It was a risky deal for the Brewers, given their tight clubhouse and Morgan’s reputation for moodiness and a hot temper. But he’s been a near-model citizen. Although injuries have limited him to 63 games, he has finally played up to his potential, winning the starting job in center field and leading the team in hitting at .326 and contributing often-spectacular defense.

“He’s been great. He’s fit in really well,” All-Star outfielder Ryan Braun says of Morgan, who had hit safely in 18 of his last 21 games before Saturday. “He’s a lot of fun to be around every day. He’s energetic. He’s enthusiastic.

“He loves baseball. He loves competing. With us, he’s been great.”

Tough-luck Indians

One school of thought says Cleveland is fortunate to still be in contention in the American League Central. The truth is, the Indians can’t seem to get a break.

On Thursday, the injury-plagued Indians lost Grady Sizemore for at least a month after the outfielder underwent surgery for a sports hernia. With Shin-Soo Choo already out with a broken thumb, Sizemore’s second trip to the disabled list this season leaves the Tribe without two-thirds of its starting outfield.

The Indians, who began Saturday eight games under .500 since June 1, have also seen designated hitter Travis Hafner, first baseman Matt LaPorta and staff ace Fausto Carmona miss time with injuries. Yet, they began Saturday just 11/2 games out of first.

“We need to get some of our guys back, and we’ll be right there,” All-Star closer Chris Perez said. “I don’t think there’s anybody in our division that’s going to run away with it. It’s going to be a battle all year.”

Statwatch(Hall of Fame edition)

• Infielder Roberto Alomar, inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday, wore a Toronto Blue Jays cap for his Hall plaque. Current Hall members Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor also played for Toronto, but Alomar will be the first player enshrined as a Blue Jay.

• Seven current teams — The Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, Florida Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, Colorado Rockies and Angels —do not have a representative in the Hall. The Giants franchise — with 21, according to the Baseball Hall of Fame website — has the most inductees.

• Alomar is the third Puerto Rican player to enter the Hall, joining Roberto Clemente and Orlando Cepeda. Former Angel Bert Blyleven, who will be inducted this weekend as a Minnesota Twin, is the first Dutch-born Hall of Famer.

— Kevin Baxter