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

Dolphins signing Jason McCourty to replace Bobby McCain?

Devin McCourty reunites with Miami head coach Brian Flores, who served as New England Patriots defensive play-caller in 2018.

Izaiah Brockington completes transfer from Penn State to Iowa State

Guard Izaiah Brockington was one of a handful of Penn State men's basketball players who reportedly entered the transfer portal less than 24 hours after news broke that Purdue assistant Micah Shrewsberry was becoming the new PSU head coach. 

Texas Longhorns LB Jake Ehlinger found dead off campus

Texas Longhorns linebacker Jake Ehlinger, younger brother of new Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger, was found dead off campus on Thursday. 

Avalanche's Mikko Rantanen fined $2,000 for diving

Rantanen began Thursday third in the NHL with 29 goals this season. 

Blue Jays' George Springer likely out past next week

After appearing in only four games in his first season with Toronto, however, George Springer aggravated his quadriceps and returned to the injured list retroactive to Monday.

Rangers' Pavel Buchnevich suspended one game for high-sticking Capitals' Anthony Mantha

Regardless of anybody's opinion of the NHL's handling of Tom Wilson, Buchnevich's crime would not go unpunished.

Jared Goff: 'Nice vote of confidence' Lions didn't draft a QB last week

The Lions spent the seventh selection on Ducks star offensive tackle Penei Sewell and ultimately did not draft a single new addition for their QB room, and Goff understandably was a fan of the team's picks. 

RHP Carlos Carrasco's Mets debut delayed to late May at earliest

Carrasco went 3-4 with a 2.91 ERA and 82 strikeouts across 12 starts and 68 innings of work during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with Cleveland. 

Real Madrid's Eden Hazard apologizes for laughing with Chelsea players after Champions League exit

While some have suggested Hazard could be shown the door during the upcoming summer transfer window, the Real source told ESPN he likely will receive a "slap on the wrist" punishment. 

Lions make Frank Ragnow NFL's highest-paid center

The Lions signed Ragnow to a four-year contract extension that links him with the organization through 2026, is worth up to $54 million, and makes the 24-year-old the league's highest-paid center.

Angels release future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols

The 41-year-old who is fifth on the all-time list with 667 career home runs does not want to be a mere spectator inside dugouts this summer.

Barack Obama praises Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson on Mays' 90th birthday

Hall of Famer and baseball royalty Willie Mays, "The Say Hey Kid," turned 90 years old on Thursday and has been honored by MLB, clubs and fans.

Saints' Sean Payton hints he will start only Taysom Hill or Jameis Winston

A famous football quote teaches: When you have two quarterbacks, you have none. Payton appears fond of that mantra this spring. 

NHL fines Rangers $250,000 for comments on Tom Wilson, NHL head of player safety

Wilson was fined $5,000 for roughing Pavel Buchnevich but received no suspension or punishment for slamming Artemi Panarin down to the ice, an incident that knocked Panarin out for the remainder of the season.

Capitals, Rangers get into brawls at start of game after Tom Wilson incidents

Immediately from the first faceoff, Washington and New York starters dropped their gloves for brawls.

Pelicans' Brandon Ingram out Friday vs. 76ers with ankle sprain

Ingram is second on the Pelicans with 23.8 points and 4.9 assists per game, and he's third with a player efficiency rating of 19.21. He's also averaging 4.9 rebounds while shooting 46.6% from the field. 

DE Justin Foster returns to Clemson football after COVID-19 retirement

Clemson Tigers defensive end Justin Foster, once thought to be a future NFL prospect, shocked the college football world in February when he announced he was retiring due to lingering complications caused by a bout with COVID-19.

NFL offering 50 free Super Bowl LVI tickets to vaccinated fans

The league will soon incentivize fans to receive coronavirus vaccine shots. 

Reds' Joey Votto out 3-4 weeks with broken left thumb

Any hopes that Cincinnati Reds star first baseman Joey Votto exited Wednesday's win over the Chicago White Sox only as a precaution after he was struck in the left thumb by a Dallas Keuchel pitch were quickly dashed following the game. 

Yankees' Rougned Odor placed on IL after home-plate collision

The Yankees have placed Odor on the 10-day injured list with a left knee sprain.

Flyers' Shayne Gostisbehere suspended two games for boarding Penguins' Mark Friedman

Critics who say the NHL Department of Player Safety lacks consistency with its rulings have more fuel for that fire.

Four new NBA players test positive for COVID-19 over past week

The NBA and National Basketball Players Association jointly announced that four new players returned positive COVID-19 results in the latest round of testing.

Mets ace Jacob deGrom may return Sunday vs. Diamondbacks

It appears deGrom's injury is not too serious.