Yardbarker

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

EXPERTISE:

NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Premier League, MLS, US Soccer, UFC

Twins announcer apologizes to Yankees' Nestor Cortes over controversial comment

Jim Kaat landed in hot water during Thursday's Twins-Tigers game when he referred to Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes as "Nestor the Molester" while offering praise for the 27-year-old. 

Deshaun Watson's lawyer: 'Happy ending' remark was used 'hypothetically'

In a statement shared by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Rusty Hardin attempted to clarify his earlier remarks ahead of the weekend. 

Eagles place three-time Pro Bowl G Brandon Brooks on reserve/retired list

After the 2021 season concluded, Eagles guard Brandon Brooks announced his retirement as an active NFL player. Now it has become official.

Bruins' Charlie McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk to miss start of 2022-23 season

Matt Grzelcyk underwent a right shoulder open stabilization procedure and is likely to miss five months. Charlie McAvoy underwent a left shoulder arthroscopic stabilization and is on track to be sidelined for six months.

Protester interrupts Casper Ruud-Marin Cilic French Open semifinal

The protester was wearing a shirt sporting a message that read "we have 1028 days left" and used what appeared to be a string to attach herself to the net via her neck.

Noah Fant: Seahawks offense 'very favorable to the tight end'

Noah Fant doesn't yet know if Drew Lock or Geno Smith will be throwing passes his way, but the tight end didn't seem to have a preference when he noted players at his position can thrive with the Seahawks. 

Eagles' A.J. Brown: Playing with DeVonta Smith takes 'pressure off each other'

Brown believes the WR tandem of himself and Smith will be a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Orioles promote Eve Rosenbaum to assistant GM of baseball operations

Rosenbaum will be tasked with overseeing roster decisions and transactions, financial planning, and big-league operations and administration.

Seahawks' Geno Smith has 'full command of the offense' as potential starter

The Seattle Seahawks will eventually land an advertised upgrade at the quarterback position either before or during the summer months, head coach Pete Carroll seems content having Geno Smith and 2019 second-round draft pick Drew Lock compete for the starting job during training camp and the preseason. 

Mets invest in new high-tech pitching machine

The New York Mets seem like they will have a new toy to play with purchased by owner Steve Cohen when they return from their current road trip after June 12. 

Deshaun Watson's lawyer: Consensual sexual activity during massage 'is not a crime'

Rusty Hardin and Leah Graham, two of the attorneys representing Watson, appeared on Houston's Sports Radio 610 on Friday and again insisted their client didn't break the law during any massage sessions in question.

Giants' Davis Webb: Daniel Jones is 'probably the smartest quarterback I've been around'

The 2022 NFL season will undeniably be a make-or-break campaign for New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones after his employer declined the fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract earlier this spring.  One person who has gotten a good look at Jones in organized team activities since that decision is fellow signal-caller Davis Webb.

Notre Dame adds 'daughters' to fight song to mark anniversary of admission of undergraduate women

The new rendition of the tune debuted at a gala held on the Notre Dame campus on Thursday. 

Cristiano Ronaldo 'very happy' to stay with Manchester United under Erik ten Hag

It's been thought the 37-year-old could force a summer move to a Champions League side, but Ronaldo explained in an interview with United's website he isn't going anywhere.

Real Madrid looking to acquire Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina?

Spanish giants Real Madrid recently had a bid rejected for Slonina because it did not match Chicago's valuation for the 18-year-old.

Former WNBA doctor targeted, killed in Tulsa mass shooting

A mass shooting at the Saint Francis Hospital campus in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Wednesday afternoon left the gunman and four other people dead.  One of the victims has a direct tie to a North American professional sports league. 

Orioles pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez out indefinitely with lat strain

It appears Rodriguez won't be featuring for Baltimore anytime soon. 

NFL insider on 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo: 'No one dies if Trey Lance has to sit for another year'

San Francisco general manager John Lynch has repeatedly insisted he's in no hurry to cut Garoppolo or trade the 30-year-old at a discounted price.

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman signs extension through 2026

The agreement would be extended an additional year if Pittman wins seven or more games in any campaign over the next five.

Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy on becoming a head coach: 'I've just got to go get it'

Bieniemy admitted that "it's tough" to remain an assistant even though his stats and résumé show he likely should've been given a head-coaching opportunity from some club by now. 

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah would trade individual trophies for Champions League final replay

Salah was unable to hit the back of the net or create a goal in last weekend's 1-0 UEFA Champions League final defeat to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

No plans for NFL games in Australia 'at this time'

A recent report out of Australia claimed the NFL was planning for a game to occur in Sydney during the 2024 season. However, that is not the case.

Mets' GM transition played role in Aaron Loup leaving for Angels?

Loup put pen to paper on a two-year agreement with the Los Angeles Angels that reportedly includes $17 million guaranteed.

Cavaliers unveil new logos, color scheme

Cleveland will no longer have navy as an accent color and will instead focus on wine, gold and black.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers thinks about retirement 'all the time'

At 38 years old, Rodgers could theoretically call it quits at any time.