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

NFLPA wants daily COVID-19 testing for players during season

Daily testing of players is set to end after Saturday under the current agreement between the NFL and NFLPA. The season gets underway on Sept. 10.

Report: Mets want to trade former All-Star reliever Edwin Diaz but can't find a buyer

The reliever has largely been a disappointment with the Queens club.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan joins Roma full-time on free transfer

Premier League club Arsenal confirmed on Monday that midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has joined Serie A outfit AS Roma on a free transfer. The move was expected after the 31-year-old spent the 2019-20 season with Roma on a loan deal.

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish receives first England call-up

Grealish was sensational during the 2019-20 season and played a massive role in keeping Villa in the top flight after the club finished the pandemic-altered campaign 17th in the table.

NCAA applies for 'Battle in the Bubble' trademark

This could be attached to upcoming competitions and merchandise.

Notre Dame football reduces stadium capacity to 20% for 2020

Face coverings, such as masks, are required, and guests will be encouraged to follow social distancing protocols. Tailgating is prohibited.

Mets, Marlins engage in poignant 'Black Lives Matter' protest before postponed game

Members of the New York Mets and Miami Marlins joined in a poignant protest before Thursday's game at Citi Field that was ultimately postponed in the wake of athlete strikes following the shooting of Jacob Blake. 

Rob Manfred wanted Mets to partake in political stunt protest?

According to comments made by Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen, commissioner Rob Manfred allegedly wanted members of the Mets to take part in a faux-protest before Thursday's contest versus the Miami Marlins at Citi Field.

NHL officially postpones Thursday, Friday playoff games amid athlete protests

As both the NBA and WNBA remain idle amid athlete strikes in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake, the NHL and NHL Players' Association jointly agreed to push Thursday and Friday Stanley Cup Playoff games back. 

Clemson football reduces Memorial Stadium capacity to 19,000 fans

Memorial Stadium will welcome up to 19,000 fans when the Clemson Tigers take the field this fall.

Manchester United's Harry Maguire: I did nothing wrong

Manchester United captain and England defender Harry Maguire won't be apologizing for his involvement in what's become an infamous incident on the Greek island of Mykonos. 

Cardinals place reliever Andrew Miller on IL with shoulder fatigue

The Cardinals expect Miller will be ready to return to the bullpen next Thursday.

Brian Urlacher says Brett Favre was braver than striking NBA players

Former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher compared what he referred to as "NBA player boycotts" to Brett Favre playing a "Monday Night Football" game a day after his dad died.

Notre Dame to play South Florida on Sept. 19

The game against South Florida is Notre Dame's only non-league fixture of the campaign with the Fighting Irish playing this unusual season in the ACC. 

New York Giants could sit game out to protest social injustice

Amid athlete strikes following the shooting of Jacob Blake, Giants running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver Sterling Shepard said Big Blue could sit out a regular-season game to protest social injustices and police violence. 

Dodgers' Walker Buehler on injured list with blister on hand

The Los Angeles Dodgers confirmed on Thursday that right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler was added to the injured list retroactive to last Sunday due to a blister on his throwing hand.

MLB insider: Don't be surprised if Indians trade Mike Clevinger

Heyman believes the Indians could get New York Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier and infielder/outfielder Miguel Andujar in such a transaction.

WNBA remains postponed amid Jacob Blake shooting protests

As of the posting of this piece, all NBA and NHL postseason games scheduled for Thursday are postponed. At least two MLB contests scheduled for Aug. 27 are also called off.  

Reports: Georgia's Dominick Blaylock suffers retorn ACL, out for season

The son of well-known former NBA player Mookie Blaylock, the wideout tallied 18 catches with 310 yards and five touchdown grabs in his debut collegiate season.

NHL postpones Thursday's games amid athlete strikes

Thursday's New York Islanders-Philadelphia Flyers and Vegas Golden Knights-Vancouver Canucks games won't be played as scheduled.

UFC's Kamaru Usman blasts Colby Covington over tweet on athlete strikes

At the UFC 245 show last December, Usman (17-1-0) stopped Covington (15-2-0) in the fifth round of the contest via punches.

Real Salt Lake owner feels 'disrespected' by player strikes, refusal to play

Beloved RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando tweeted that he was "disgusted" by the owner's comments.

Report: Manchester City to offer 100M euros, three players for Lionel Messi

City were linked with Messi even before the Manchester outfit and Barcelona were unceremoniously bounced from the Champions League in the quarterfinal stage of the competition.

Milwaukee Bucks share team statement following player boycott

Hours after the Milwaukee Bucks became the first professional sports franchise to boycott their game to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake, players emerged from the locker room to share a joint team statement.

Mariners vote to not play vs. Padres amid player protests

Wednesday's game between the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres at Petco Park became the second postponed MLB contest amid athlete protests over the shooting of Jacob Blake.