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

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.

Reds' Joey Votto exits game with left thumb injury

Cincinnati Reds star first baseman Joey Votto attempted to check his swing in the bottom of the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against the Chicago White Sox when his left thumb was struck by a pitch.

49ers could sit Trey Lance behind Jimmy Garoppolo for multiple seasons?

It appears the 49ers are not ruling out anything with regard to the quarterback position.

Postponed Manchester United-Liverpool match rescheduled for May 13

The Premier League and English Football Association are investigating exactly what happened on Sunday and could slap United with punishments such as a fine, point deduction or a stadium closure for a future event.

Blue Jays moving back to Buffalo on June 1

Wednesday's update comes as no surprise, as the Blue Jays had already begun renovations and upgrades to make Sahlen Field feel more like an MLB home.

Bills GM Brandon Beane would cut unvaccinated player to loosen restrictions

Beane said he'd like to avoid potential "headaches" and inconveniences that would come with having unvaccinated individuals among Tier 1 personnel.

Mets' Jacob deGrom shut down for 'few days' with lat inflammation

Right-hander Miguel Castro was scheduled to start for the Mets on Tuesday in deGrom's place.

Cowboys' Dak Prescott: 'I can go play in a game right now'

Ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft completed this past weekend, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that quarterback Dak Prescott is "on track" in his rehabilitation from the compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle that he suffered back on Oct.

Rangers wanted Tom Wilson indefinitely suspended, furious over lack of punishment

The Rangers and Capitals play again Wednesday night. 

Brewers' Christian Yelich returns to IL with back strain

Milwaukee Brewers two-time All-Star and one-time National League Most Valuable Player Christian Yelich just can't get right this spring.