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

Padres 'optimistic' SS Fernando Tatis Jr. can return Friday

Padres star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. has given fans multiple worrisome injury scares since the second half of March but is on track to return to action from a subluxation of his left shoulder for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Amanda Nunes to defend bantamweight title vs. Julianna Pena at UFC 265

UFC president Dana White has told ESPN's Brett Okamoto that two-division champion Amanda Nunes (21-4-0) will defend her bantamweight title against Julianna Pena (11-4-0) at the UFC 265 pay-per-view this August.

NHL officially delays Canucks' return to play from COVID-19 pause

What had been expected since Wednesday and then rumored on Thursday afternoon is now official. The NHL has confirmed that the Vancouver Canucks will not return to play from their lengthy COVID-19 pause Friday night versus the Edmonton Oilers as originally hoped.  

Broncos looking to trade WR DaeSean Hamilton?

Hamilton recorded only 23 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns across 16 games and two starts last season and was leapfrogged in targets by other options.

Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hospitalized with malaria

Arsenal star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shared via Instagram that he contracted malaria while on international duty with Gabon last month and required a stint in the hospital.

2021 NFL schedule release coming after draft?

Even before NFL owners approved of expanding the regular season to 17 games beginning with the 2021 campaign, rumors emerged that the highly-anticipated

Canucks-Oilers postponed amid COVID-19 issues impacting Vancouver

Before this latest development, the NHL planned to have Vancouver play 19 times in 31 days to complete a full 56-game schedule.

Bulls All-Star Zach LaVine in protocols, likely out several games?

Chicago is scheduled to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, but the status of that game may be up in the air depending on coronavirus concerns hovering over the Bulls.

Patriots' Bill Belichick: 'Definitely an interesting group' of QBs in 2021 NFL Draft

Belichick spoke about the QBs in the draft class during a Thursday press conference but, unsurprisingly didn't offer much insight into what he may be thinking.

Cowboys players discussed OTA boycott in Wednesday conference

In the grand scheme of things, this back-and-forth between NFL owners and the NFLPA means little to fans who don't care about supposed "competitive advantages" that may or may not be gained via April workouts.

Could Canucks be delayed again due to lingering COVID-19 issues?

Members of the Canucks only returned to official team practices this week, and the club is currently set to play 19 contests in 31 days to complete its full 56-game schedule even as some players are still recovering.

Islanders close to selling out season tickets for UBS Arena debut year

The Islanders are optimistic they will be permitted to fill UBS Arena to capacity by the start of next season despite concerns related to COVID-19.

Mets postponed again; Colorado games in doubt?

it's the sixth time the Mets have had a game either postponed or suspended since April 1.

New lawsuit filed against Texans QB Deshaun Watson

By the evening hours on Wednesday, a previously unknown Houston makeup artist had sued 25-year-old star Deshaun Watson signal-caller in a new case.

J.T. Miller says rushing Canucks back from COVID-19 pause is 'dangerous'

Miller was one of the lucky Vancouver players who tested negative over the past several weeks, but some of his teammates are dealing with typical yet concerning lingering effects from their virus bouts. 

Zero new NBA players tested positive for COVID-19 this week

The NBA and NBPA announced on Wednesday that zero new players tested positive for the coronavirus over the past week.

NCAA to allow college football, basketball players to transfer without sitting a season

The NCAA will allow athletes in all sports, such as football and basketball, to transfer one time before graduating without having to sit out an entire season. 

Astros place Jose Altuve, four others on IL due to health and safety protocols

The Astros placed Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez, Martin Maldonado and Robel Garcia on the injured list due to MLB's health and safety protocols.

MLB to test mound distance, 'double-hook' DH in Atlantic League

MLB purists who reject rule modifications such as doubleheaders featuring seven-inning games and a runner starting at second base during extra-inning encounters may soon hate two new changes. 

Broncos schedule COVID-19 vaccination day for players, personnel

The Broncos have scheduled a vaccination event for April 21 that will include the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine being made available to players, coaches, staff members and also all adult family members of personnel.

Nets' Durant, Harden, Aldridge, Griffin all out at 76ers

Stop us if you've heard this one before: The Brooklyn Nets will be without familiar names for a regular-season game.

Browns' Jadeveon Clowney: 'I just want to show I'm still an elite player'

Both Jadeveon Clowney and the Cleveland Browns hope patience will prove to be a virtue. 

Avalanche cancel morning skate again due to COVID-19

The person who recorded the positive result is in isolation, and nobody else associated with the team has thus far tested positive for the coronavirus.

Rose Namajunas defends controversial anti-communism comments ahead of Zhang Weili fight

Namajunas battles Weili at UFC 261 on April 24, but that contest is generating headlines for reasons that have little to do with the strap.