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

Amanda Nunes-Megan Anderson to fight for featherweight title at UFC 256

UFC two-division champion Amanda Nunes will put the featherweight strap on the line versus Megan Anderson at the UFC 256 show tentatively scheduled for Dec. 12.

Iowa discontinues four sports after Big Ten postpones football, fall competitions

Per Iowa's announcement, the sports affected are men’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and men’s tennis.

146th Kentucky Derby to run without fans due to coronavirus pandemic

After hoping to allow a decreased percentage of spectators to the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs Incorporated announced on Friday afternoon that no fans will be welcomed to the event postponed from May 2 to Sept. 5.

Blazers' Damian Lillard to play in Game 3 vs. Lakers with dislocated finger

Portland Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts confirmed guard Damian Lillard will play versus the Los Angeles Lakers for Saturday's Game 3 showdown.

Indians' Terry Francona to miss Friday's game vs. Detroit after medical procedure

Former Indians catcher and current first-base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. will continue to guide the club as interim manager.

Yankees' Gleyber Torres likely headed to injured list with tight hamstring

Torres hurt his hamstring running down the first-base line vs. the Rays and exited the contest early.

Serena Williams isolating in rental house for U.S. Open 'bubble'

Williams and others who rent temporary havens must follow strict protocols as it pertains to exiting those homes for any purpose during the tournament.

Yankees' James Paxton likely headed to IL, but no Tommy John needed

While the New York Yankees will likely be without lefty James Paxton for some time, the club nevertheless received some good news about his long-term health on Friday.

Vince McMahon showed Rob Gronkowski how to perform WrestleMania 10-foot fall

Everything worked out in the end, and neither McMahon nor Gronkowski were worse for wear. 

Parents of Big Ten football players protest in favor of season at conference headquarters

Two days after B1G commissioner Kevin Warren declared that the conference's decision to postpone fall sports is final, parents of players showed up to protest.

Does Barcelona board member want to sell Lionel Messi?

All good things come to an end, though Barcelona losing Messi for nothing would be an unforgivable sin.

Indians top prospect Triston McKenzie to make MLB debut on Saturday

Right-handed pitcher Triston McKenzie, widely viewed as the top prospect in the system of the Cleveland Indians, is scheduled to make his MLB debut on Saturday versus the Detroit Tigers. 

Northwestern OL Rashawn Slater opts out, declares for 2021 NFL Draft

Northwestern offensive lineman Rashawn Slater confirmed via Twitter that he will forego any college campaign and focus on the 2021 NFL Draft.

U.S. Open director admits tennis tournament could be canceled

Even though tennis players and other personnel are isolating in a "bubble" ahead of and during the U.S. Open, tournament director Stacey Allaster admitted the coronavirus pandemic could eliminate the anticipated event from the calendar.

Florida's Zachary Carter commits to play despite coronavirus concerns

Florida Gators defensive end Zachary Carter took to Twitter to announce that he will play college football this fall despite concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Report: Tottenham star Harry Kane misses preseason start due to quarantine

Tottenham Hotspur and England superstar striker Harry Kane missed the start of the club's preseason training sessions because he was made to quarantine for 14 days following a holiday in the Bahamas with his family.  

Report: UFC 252 drew over 500,000 pay-per-view buys?

UFC 252, headlined by the trilogy fight of Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier, reportedly generated over a quarter million pay-per-view buys.

Mets have coronavirus cases; games vs. Marlins, Yankees postponed

The New York Mets won't play the Miami Marlins on Thursday evening or the Yankees on Friday after two people associated with the Amazins tested positive for the coronavirus. 

Browns' Mack Wilson 'probably' out for season with knee injury

Cleveland Browns linebacker Mack Wilson could be out for the season.

Fox Sports removes Thom Brennaman from NFL games after anti-gay slur

Fox Sports has removed Cincinnati Reds television announcer Thom Brennaman from the network's NFL broadcasts after he said an anti-gay slur over the air during Wednesday's game between the Reds and Kansas City Royals.

Watch: Phillies' Jose Alvarez carted off after taking line drive to groin

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarez was carted off the field after taking a line drive to the groin in the bottom of the fifth inning of Thursday's doubleheader opener versus the Toronto Blue Jays.  

Blues' Craig Berube hasn't picked goaltender for Game 6

St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube hasn't yet selected a starting goaltender for Friday's must-win Game 6.

Luka Doncic says underdog Mavericks can 'fight' with Clippers

Second-year Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic wasn't hurting for confidence while speaking with reporters after his side's 127-114 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

South Carolina RB MarShawn Lloyd suffers torn ACL, out for season

Lloyd, listed at 5-9 and 210 pounds, is a highly-touted ball-carrier hailed as the eighth-best tailback of his recruiting class by ESPN.