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

Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon fined $5,000 for throwing helmet at Coyotes' Conor Garland

MacKinnon received a 10-minute misconduct for the crime. His fine money will go to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Mets-Nationals series postponed through at least Friday due to COVID-19 concerns

The hope is the Nationals will host the Mets on Saturday, but the date for that game likely won't be confirmed until Friday at the earliest. 

Francisco Lindor, Mets approaching deadline without long-term contract

All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor has repeatedly said he won't negotiate past Opening Day. 

Raptors' Kyle Lowry could miss five games with toe infection

The Raptors headed into Wednesday's showdown with the Thunder losers of 14 of their last 16 games and knowing that guard Kyle Lowry wouldn't be available due to a toe infection. 

Robert Kraft: Patriots must get QB position 'solidified'

Patriots owner Robert Kraft spoke with reporters on Wednesday and admitted the club must strengthen the sport's most important position.

RB Leonard Fournette wants 'misunderstood' Antonio Brown back with Buccaneers

Running back Leonard Fournette campaigned for free-agent wide receiver Antonio Brown to join the long list of recognizable names who elected to remain with the Buccaneers.

Investigators won't reveal cause of Tiger Woods crash

L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva confirmed that investigators have determined the cause of the single-car accident involving Tiger Woods. However, Villanueva explained that he won't be revealing the details of the accident because of unspecified privacy concerns. 

Giants not offering RB Saquon Barkley a contract extension anytime soon?

Giants co-owner John Mara told reporters on Wednesday the team is "not in any hurry" to work out a contract extension with the second overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Mets-Nationals Opening Day game in doubt due to COVID-19?

The Washington Nationals had at least one player test positive for COVID-19 ahead of Thursday's regular-season opener at home versus the Mets.

Penguins' Tristan Jarry likely out Thursday vs. Bruins?

Jarry, meanwhile, is "day-to-day," according to head coach Mike Sullivan. Sullivan added that medical personnel advised him to remove Jarry from Monday's matchup after the opening period. 

Former Pro Bowl RB Phillip Lindsay thankful Broncos let him hit free agency

Lindsay signed a one-year "prove it" contract with the Houston Texans and is set to compete for touches with new backfield mates Mark Ingram and David Johnson.

NFL to relax COVID-19 protocols for vaccinated players, personnel?

Teams have been instructed to provide a list of players, coaches and other personnel fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in advance of potential relaxed restrictions.

Andy Murray could pursue soccer, golf gigs after tennis retirement

The three-time Grand Slam champion told Jonathan Wells of Gentleman's Journal he could remain in the sports world after he walks away from competitive tennis. 

Cleveland bans headdresses, painted faces at Progressive Field

Fans can still wear merchandise, including caps and shirts, that feature Chief Wahoo. Face paint that is deemed inoffensive, such as a depiction of the mascot Slider, is still permitted. 

Report: Bears chairman voted against 17-game NFL season

It's widely believed it's only a matter of time before the NFL expands the regular season to 18 games, and that reality makes George McCaskey's dissenting vote all the more curious. 

Francis Ngannou wants to fight Jon Jones, but Jones wants more money

Jones, widely viewed as the greatest all-around competitor in UFC history, suggested last June that he could "sit out for two years, three years" if White didn't meet his asking price for a return to the Octagon.

Official passes out during USC-Gonzaga Elite Eight game

The opening minutes of Tuesday's Elite Eight showdown between the USC Trojans and Gonzaga Bulldogs were overshadowed by a scary incident involving a referee.

Falcons owner: 'We should be working to make voting easier, not harder'

Shortly after Georgia approved an overhaul of election laws in the state via restrictions that opponents say target minority voters, Falcons owner and chairman Arthur Blank spoke out against the legislation.

Andre Drummond to start in Lakers debut vs. Bucks

Drummond averaged 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in 25 games, all starts, with Cleveland this season before he was relegated to the bench.

Mets' Pete Alonso on Francisco Lindor: 'I hope they pay him $400 million'

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and shortstop Francisco Lindor have only been teammates for about two-and-a-half months since Lindor joined the Mets from the Cleveland Indians via a blockbuster January trade, but Alonso is in full solidarity with his new compatriot.

Charter flight carrying Jazz makes emergency landing after striking flock of birds

The Jazz were prepared to take a charter flight for Wednesday's game at the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday afternoon when things nearly went horribly wrong.

Canucks forward Adam Gaudette tests positive for COVID-19

Wednesday's game between the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames is now in doubt.

Rays' Ji-Man Choi out 3-5 weeks after knee surgery

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi was bothered by soreness in his right knee throughout spring training and will now miss approximately the first month of the regular season.