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

Drake Batherson re-signs with Senators on six-year, $29.85 million contract

Batherson has thus far played in 99 career NHL regular-season contests and accumulated 23 goals and 30 assists. 

Broncos honor late former assistant coach Greg Knapp by donating bicycles to area youth

Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, general manager George Paton and the club's entire football operations staff spent a part of Friday assembling 75 bicycles that will be donated to area youth.

Fully vaccinated Oscar De La Hoya hospitalized by COVID-19

De La Hoya was scheduled to return to the ring Sept. 11 for a boxing match versus former UFC champion Vitor Belfort at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Somerset Patriots hope to play final homestand after flood submerges ballpark

The league website didn't say where the Patriots may play home games next week if TD Bank Ballpark can't host teams. 

NFL player COVID-19 vaccination rate stays at 93% after cuts

Vaccination rates held firm as the season approaches.

Cubs manager David Ross, president Jed Hoyer positive for COVID-19

The Boston Red Sox aren't the only MLB club dealing with COVID-19 issues as the start of the fall months approaches.

Dodgers SP Trevor Bauer's administrative leave extended through Sept. 10

It was last Friday when the City of Pasadena Police Department turned the case regarding allegations made against Bauer over to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Falcons sign former Giants RB Wayne Gallman

Former New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman didn't make the final roster of the San Francisco 49ers but will be sticking around the NFC for at least a little longer.

Jaguars RB Travis Etienne: Foot surgery went 'great'

Jacksonville fans shouldn't get their hopes up despite the good news. The Jaguars already placed Etienne on season-ending injured reserve.

Kenny Golladay warns Giants offense could start 'slow' early in season

Giants WR1 Kenny Golladay only joined the team via free agency in March but was sidelined for much of August with a hamstring injury.

Patrick Reed describes scary bout with double pneumonia

Reed returned to competitive play Thursday and shot an opening-round 72 at the Tour Championship but mostly discussed his recent ordeal when speaking with reporters. 

Colts' Carson Wentz 'optimistic' about starting Week 1 vs. Seahawks

If Wentz can't go for whatever reason on Sept. 12, 2020 fourth-round draft pick Jacob Eason would start versus Seattle. 

Cristiano Ronaldo to wear No. 7 for Manchester United return

It's official: International superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will remain CR7 for his anticipated Manchester United return.

Cowboys' Mike McCarthy not interested in Cam Newton: 'We're very excited' about the QBs we have

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy didn't seem too interested in adding Newton or anybody else to his QB room before Sept. 9. 

Big 12 to consider BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, Houston for expansion?

The Big 12 could extend formal invitations during the upcoming football season to any of four potential candidates. 

Report: 'Strong chance' Giants RB Saquon Barkley plays Week 1 vs. Broncos

Judge and his staff have been extremely cautious regarding Barkley's return to action, and the second-overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft only participated in live drills for the first time last week.

Ontario Hockey League suspends Canadiens first-round pick Logan Mailloux indefinitely

The Canadiens selected Logan Mailloux with the 31st pick in the draft even though he asked not to be chosen after he was fined by Swedish police for sharing a photo of himself and a woman engaging in a consensual sexual act.

France's Kylian Mbappe out of World Cup qualifiers, returns to Paris Saint-Germain

Mbappe is returning to his Ligue 1 club early because of a calf injury he picked up in Wednesday's draw. As a result, Mbappe will be unavailable for the final two qualifiers of the current international break.

Yankees' Double-A affiliate ballpark submerged after historic flooding

The remnants of Hurricane Ida dropped a historic amount of rain throughout portions of New Jersey and New York on Wednesday night and Thursday morning and left much of the region flooded.

Mets acting GM Zack Scott on administrative leave amid DWI charge

Scott had reportedly been arrested at 4:17 a.m. Tuesday and was facing a driving while intoxicated charge related to an incident that allegedly involved police finding him asleep inside of his car in White Plains, N.Y.

Temple-Rutgers football game postponed to Saturday due to flooding

The remnants of Hurricane Ida have continued to cause damage throughout portions of the United States and impact sports calendars ahead of Labor Day weekend.

Cristiano Ronaldo set to make Manchester United re-debut Sept. 11 vs. Newcastle

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner originally featured for United from 2003 through 2009 but last played for the club in the '09 Champions League final before he completed a historic move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Four-time Pro Bowl DE Everson Griffen re-signs with Vikings again

Griffen will enter Week 1 later this month seventh all-time in franchise history with 74.5 career regular-season sacks. 

Bears GM: No need to 'rush' Justin Fields

The Bears open the regular season with a "Sunday Night Football" showdown at the Los Angeles Rams, so it makes sense Nagy and Pace wouldn't want to toss Fields into the figurative deep end.

Victoria Azarenka: No point in 'stalling' mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for players

Fans must show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to attend the U.S. Open. Victoria Azarenka explained she believes it's "bizarre" ATP and WTA players aren't facing the same vaccination mandate as spectators.