The recession is expected to strike a blow to Major League Baseball, leaving many teams to face lower attendance and revenue.
Olympic champions South Korea face a tough task in Saturday's World Baseball Classic semi-final when they go up against hard-hitting Venezuela.
Puerto Rico beat the United States 11-1 in the second round of the World Baseball Classic Saturday.
The USA beat Venezuela 15-6 to move into the second round of the World Baseball Classic.
Slugger Alex Rodriguez will have surgery on his torn right hip labrum on Monday
The United States flexed their muscles and slammed three home runs to edge Canada 6-5.
Japan crushed Olympic champion South Korea to to reach the second round of the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
Veteran slugger Ken Griffey Jr. has returned to the Seattle Mariners, where he began his career 20 years ago, the club announced on Wednesday.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said on Thursday that Alex Rodriguez had "shamed the game" with his admission of doping.
Miguel Tejada pleaded guilty in federal court to lying to Congress about his knowledge of other players using steroids.