NEW YORK — Former All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez was traded from the New York Mets to Milwaukee on Tuesday night, boosting the Brewers’ bullpen for a second-half run at the playoffs.

The Mets sent Rodriguez and cash to Milwaukee for two players to be named. The trade was announced right after the All-Star game ended, yet another sign the Brewers are going all in this season.

Milwaukee is tied with St. Louis for the NL Central lead, and John Axford has done well as its closer. But the Brewers have had trouble finding steady setup men.

“Francisco has been one of the best relievers in the game for many years,” Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said in a statement. “He is a high-quality arm who will be a tremendous asset to our bullpen as we prepare for the final months of the regular season and playoffs.”

The Brewers traded for top starters Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum in the offseason. They’ve made the playoffs just once since winning the American League pennant in 1982, and are faced with the prospect of watching star slugger Prince Fielder leave via free agency after the season.

Fielder was the MVP of the All-Star game, hitting a three-run homer in the National League’s 5-1 victory.

“That is a really big trade. He can really help us, he is a great player. It definitely gives us a spark. We are in first place now and getting him gives us a little more help,” Fielder said.

“He is going to bring the success he has had in his career, his confidence. He is going to keep doing what he is doing. You can’t go wrong when you get that kind of talent. You can never have too many guys. No discredit to Axford at all, but to get him, too, is great,” he said.

The 29-year-old Rodriguez is 2-2 with a 3.16 ERA and 23 saves, a year after a fracas with a family member at Citi Field led to his arrest, an injury and the early end of his season. He is a four-time All-Star and set the single-season saves record with 62 in 2008 with the Angels.