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

Michelle Waterson vs. Angela Hill named new UFC on ESPN+ 35 main event

UFC on ESPN+ 35 will occur at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nev., behind closed doors and without fans due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Twins OF Max Kepler goes to injured list with adductor strain

It's the first time Kepler, 27, has ever been placed on the IL since he made his big-league debut in 2015.

Report: Astros star 2B Jose Altuve day-to-day after knee scare

It seems that an MRI showed nothing overly concerning, but the Astros nevertheless could give him a few days off to further examine the issue.

UFC's Alistair Overeem would be 'honored' to fight Jon Jones

Overeem tossed his hat in the figurative ring for Jones' debut in the heavyweight division. 

Report: Colts make Ryan Kelly highest-paid center in NFL

The Indianapolis Colts confirmed on Thursday that the club has agreed to a contract extension with center and 2016 first-round pick Ryan Kelly.

Florida Gators reduce home capacity to 17,000 due to pandemic

The Florida Gators announced on Thursday that the capacity for Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will be reduced from 88,548 to 17,000 to meet physical distancing requirements during a season held amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Grizzlies' Ja Morant runaway NBA Rookie of the Year winner

The 21-year-old officially won the award, as expected, via a decision that wasn't all that close. Morant earned 99 out of 100 first-place votes and finished on 498 points:

Astros' Jose Altuve getting MRI due to right knee injury

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker confirmed that second baseman Jose Altuve will undergo an MRI to examine a right knee injury he suffered during Thursday's game versus the Texas Rangers.

Zdeno Chara wants to return to Boston Bruins for next season

Defenseman Zdeno Chara turned 43 years old in March, but the 6-foot-9 future Hall of Famer isn't finished featuring for the Boston Bruins if he has his way. 

Could fall sports resume with Pac-12 offering daily rapid COVID-19 testing?

With rapid testing, the Pac-12 could consider playing football and other sports in the fall.

Dallas Cowboys release former Pro Bowl safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Clinton-Dix, 27, put pen to paper on a one-year contract with the Cowboys in April that could've been worth $3.75 million. By releasing him today, however, the club is on the hook for only $2.25 million of that deal. 

PGA Tour plans to welcome fans in early 2021

The last 14 tournaments have been played without fans in attendance.

Watch: Mets honor legend Tom Seaver before game vs. Yankees

The New York Mets honored legendary pitcher Tom Seaver before the club's Thursday afternoon game versus the New York Yankees at Citi Field. Seaver, a three-time

Report: Oct. 10 start for Big Ten football 'ain't happening'

It's looking less likely Big Ten football fans will see member schools in action before Halloween.

Jaguars trade safety Ronnie Harrison to Browns

Jacksonville selected Harrison in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and he started for the Jaguars in 22 of 28 games during his tenure with the organization.

A's pitcher Daniel Mengden tested positive for COVID-19

The 27-year-old is asymptomatic and quarantined at his Houston home.

Roger Federer becomes world's highest-paid athlete for first time

Per Forbes, Federer raked in over $106 million this past year, thanks largely to lucrative endorsement deals, including a 10-year, $300 million agreement with Japanese clothing retailer Uniqlo.

NFL Network, NFL RedZone available on YouTube TV

Football fans who don't subscribe to a cable or satellite television provider have a new way to catch NFL action this fall.

Barcelona believe Lionel Messi likely to stay?

Messi is signed with Barcelona through the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

Kick It Out confirms 42% rise in reports of discrimination in English football

Following the killing of George Floyd in May, footballers in England and throughout the world publicly embraced the "Black Lives Matter" movement and engaged in demonstrations such as kneeling before kickoffs.  

PSU director of athletic medicine: 30%-35% of Big Ten athletes with COVID-19 have myocarditis

It remains most likely that conference football programs will remain idle through the remainder of the year.  

Report: Giants trade with Broncos for CB Isaac Yiadom

The New York Giants are sending a 2021 seventh-round draft pick to the Denver Broncos for cornerback Isaac Yiadom.

Twins activate Josh Donaldson, designate Ildemaro Vargas

Donaldson hit .182 with one home run, two RBI, and seven strikeouts across his first seven appearances this summer until a right calf strain sidelined him through all of August. 

Reports: Patriots intend to release WR Mohamed Sanu, could trade him

Sanu, 31, became expendable because he was scheduled to earn $6.5 million while existing below Julian Edelman and N'Keal Harry on the depth chart.