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

Umpire defends controversial obstruction call in Marlins-Brewers game

First base umpire Marty Foster went viral during the Marlins-Brewers game when he ruled Milwaukee pitcher Zack Godley guilty of obstruction.

Celtics' Marcus Smart suspended for 'threatening language' toward official

The NBA announced on Wednesday afternoon that Celtics guard Marcus Smart has been suspended one game without pay "for directing threatening language toward a game official" both "during and after" Tuesday's contest.

Giants exercise fifth-year option on RB Saquon Barkley

New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley has one less thing to worry about as he continues to recover from the torn ACL he suffered last September.

Mets' Francisco Lindor: 'It sucks' being booed amid slow start

Fans as Citi Field booed Lindor during Tuesday's loss to the Boston Red Sox after he failed to reach base late in the contest, and he said that he's not used to hearing that sound at the ballpark.

Penguins want to open vaccinated, non-vaccinated seating sections

The Penguins hope to open separate sections of PPG Paints Arena to fans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and also to those who haven't received shots. 

Blue Jays' George Springer to debut Wednesday vs. Nationals

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer has, for the most part, been out of action for over a month as he worked to recover from a strained left oblique, but he'll be joining the team Wednesday for his debut.

Pete Carroll: Seahawks 'weren’t trading' Russell Wilson

Despite the rumors, it sounds like Wilson will remain in Seattle for the foreseeable future.

Baffling obstruction call in Marlins-Brewers game goes viral

Being an MLB umpire undoubtedly comes with challenges, and even the best in the business make mistakes. Still, it's difficult to defend what occurred in the top of the second inning of Wednesday's game between the Marlins and Brewers. 

Penguins' Evgeni Malkin nearing return from lower-body injury

Malkin hasn't played since he suffered a lower-body injury versus the Boston Bruins on March 16.

All-Pro TE George Kittle trusts 49ers to pick right QB

San Francisco 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle has campaigned for Jimmy Garoppolo to remain his starting quarterback on multiple occasions over the past several months but can also see the writing on the wall.

PGA Tour's Paul Casey got COVID-19 vaccine to 'get back to normal'

Last week, the PGA Tour sent a memo to players and caddies that encouraged them to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Giants RB Saquon Barkley on track to be ready for start of season after torn ACL

Barkley rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two NFL campaigns with the Giants, but there remain understandable questions about how he'll recover.

Cavaliers' Kevin Love accepts blame for conduct during inbounds play

Love spoke with reporters for roughly 13 minutes about the incident on Wednesday without taking any questions and accepted all blame for the moment he and the Cavaliers would likely prefer to forget.

Patriots on track to have full stadium for Week 1 of NFL season

The New England Patriots informed season-ticket holders in late February they were hopeful that local and state COVID-19 health and safety guidelines would permit them to fill Gillette Stadium "at full capacity" for the 2021 NFL campaign.

Lions OT Taylor Decker not getting COVID-19 vaccine

Like MLB and the NBA, the NFL has informed clubs that certain coronavirus-related health and safety protocols can be  relaxed for teams 'that achieve a certain rate of vaccination among its  tiered staff.' 

Eight teams wanted Deshaun Watson before civil lawsuits?

Houston Texans star quarterback Deshaun Watson reportedly requested a trade earlier this offseason before up to 22 plaintiffs filed lawsuits against the 25-year-old signal-caller alleging acts of sexual assault and misconduct. 

70% of MLB personnel at least partially vaccinated against COVID-19

On Tuesday, commissioner Rob Manfred told the Associated Press via an email that 70% of the league's overall Tier 1 players, managers, coaches, athletic trainers, and other "essential personnel" have received either partial or full vaccinations.

Cardinals' Yadier Molina on IL with right foot tendon strain

St. Louis fell to 11-11 on the campaign following Monday's loss to Philadelphia. 

Ole Miss fires offensive line coach three days after spring football game

Kiffin is reportedly making the change due to football-related reasons and not because of anything to do with potential off-the-field problems.

White Sox place Luis Robert on IL with flu-like symptoms

The Chicago White Sox placed outfielder Luis Robert on the injured list Tuesday after he complained of symptoms that may or may not be linked with the coronavirus. 

USMNT star Christian Pulisic makes history with Champions League semifinal goal

The match finished 1-1. Chelsea will host Real in the second leg on May 5  and will begin that game with the away goals advantage.

Hawks' Cam Reddish likely out through end of regular season

The Hawks are fifth in the Eastern Conference standings at 34-28 and play at the Philadelphia 76ers (40-21) on Wednesday.

Mike McCarthy: Dak Prescott on track in rehab from ankle injury

The 27-year-old two-time Pro Bowler is expected to be ready for training camp sessions and preseason games.

NHL teams may not be allowed to travel to and from Canada for playoffs?

The NHL is asking that the Canadian government give the North Division winner and its opponent special permission to travel without completing mandatory quarantines, but the league could relocate the Canadian club to the U.S. for the remainder of its playoff journey if necessary.