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

Mets' Jed Lowrie to miss Opening Day because of sore knee

Lowrie joined the Mets in January 2019, but he's been more a spectator than an active player during most of his stint with the organization.

Pat Connaughton not with Bucks following positive coronavirus test

Before the NBA halted play on March 11 due to the pandemic, the 27-year-old reserve appeared in 61 games for the Bucks this season.

Pacers expect Victor Oladipo will play in scrimmages

Not long after hinting he was reconsidering his decision to opt out of the NBA's return-to-play, Victor Oladipo is expected to participate in the Pacers' team scrimmages.

Rangers' Brendan Lemieux suspended two games for high hit in March

Lemieux can play in New York's July 29 exhibition game versus the New York Islanders before he serves the ban that will sideline him for the first two contests of the best-of-five series versus the Carolina Hurricanes.

NBA reports zero positive coronavirus tests in Orlando bubble

In some encouraging news from Orlando, the NBA reported no positive coronavirus tests as of Monday, July 20.

NFL, NFLPA agree to daily coronavirus testing

Daily testing will go on for at least two weeks. If the positive rate for tests falls below 5 percent, testing may shift to every other day.

Dr. Fauci to throw ceremonial first pitch of MLB season

Fauci might not be Dr. K, but he's a big Nationals fan.

Pac-12 postpones football media days 'until further notice'

It's believed any collegiate media days will be virtual experiences, similar to how the NFL conducted this year's draft, due to the uncontrolled virus outbreak. 

Survey: Fans want sports even if they can't attend games

Whether they can attend or not, the majority of survey respondents want their sports back.

David Beckham's Inter Miami suffer worst start in MLS history

Major League Soccer expansion side Inter Miami were eliminated from the MLS is Back tournament following a 1-0 defeat to New York City FC on Monday morning.

Rams' Sean McVay 'skeptical' NFL training camps will begin on time

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay isn't fully convinced NFL training camps will open as scheduled amid the worsening

NFL: Giants, Jets can't have fans in 2020 due to pandemic

If the New York Giants and New York Jets can play home NFL games this fall amid the worsening coronavirus pandemic, they will do so without fans attending MetLife Stadium.

Russell Westbrook joins Rockets in NBA bubble

A week after testing positive for the coronavirus, Russell Westbrook has joined the Rockets down in the Orlando.

LeBron James on NBA bubble: 'Nothing is normal in 2020'

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James admitted he's adjusting to the NBA bubble site in Orlando but that it's been a difficult process.

California postpones high school football, other sports due to pandemic

With Gov. Gavin Newsom announcing that counties experiencing coronavirus outbreaks must start the school term via distance learning, sports seasons throughout the state remain in serious doubt. 

Steven Adams on NBA bubble: 'This is not Syria. It's not that hard'

Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams wants fans to know he's handling life in Florida just fine. 

Tottenham's Jose Mourinho on Man City: Some clubs can break the rules

Mourinho spoke out about his frustrations regarding City and transfer budgets.

'Madden 21' patch eliminates Washington nickname, logo

On Friday, Electronic Arts announced that Madden 21 will remove the current logo and nickname associated with the Washington NFL team.  

SEC to honor athlete scholarships for those who don't play amid pandemic

The SEC announced that student-athletes on scholarships who don't wish to participate in seasons amid the worsening coronavirus pandemic will have those scholarships honored by member universities. 

Texans' Kenny Stills has felony charges dropped from Breonna Taylor protest arrest

Houston Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills won't face a felony charge for his participation in a protest demanding justice in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor. 

Pirates' Gregory Polanco tests positive for coronavirus, may play Opening Day

Polanco missed more than 100 games last season due to lingering shoulder issues stemming from an injury he suffered in September 2018. 

Indiana pauses football workouts after positive COVID-19 tests

On Friday, the Indiana Hoosiers temporarily suspended all football workouts after six individuals within the program tested positive for the coronavirus. 

Clippers' Montrezl Harrell reportedly left NBA bubble for family emergency

Harrell will be asked to quarantine for at least four days upon his return to the bubble and will have to provide multiple negative coronavirus test results before he can rejoin teammates. 

MLS postpones expansion amid coronavirus pandemic

Charlotte will debut in 2022, while Sacramento and St. Louis will begin MLS tenures in 2023. Austin FC remains on schedule for a 2021 MLS start.