And that brings a smile to Rodriguez’s face.

"That’s what I’m talking about, about developing young players," Rodriguez said. "Berrios, one of the best prospects for the Minnesota Twins, is only 18 years old. Four years ago he was sitting in the stands watching the Puerto Rican team. Now he is right next to Carlos Beltran and Yadier Molina.

"The young players nowadays, they can look not only for Carlos Beltran, but they also can see José Berrios as a model. Four years from now they can be part of the team."

Former Marlins shortstop Jose Reyes got a chance to shake hands with one of the guys he was traded for Thursday – 22-year-old right-hander Henderson Alvarez, who will pitch for Venezuela in relief of another former Marlin Carlos Zambrano on Saturday.

Alvarez, the only current Marlin here in San Juan, said he’s enjoyed his experience hanging out with Venezuela’s national team and feels like he’s not missing anything important with the Marlins.

"If I was competing for a job then I probably would have stayed with my team," Alvarez said. "I came to the World Baseball Classic not because I’m sure I have a job but because I feel like I could learn a lot. Thankfully the [Marlins] gave me permission and I’m planning on working just as hard as if I was there."

• Venezuela manager Luis Sojo said because Thursday night starter Anibal Sanchez only threw 20 pitches before rain halted play for 50 minutes there a chance the former Marlin could pitch Sunday against Spain.