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

Hurricanes' Dougie Hamilton misses practice, is 'unfit to play'

The Carolina Hurricanes may be without All-Star defenseman Dougie Hamilton when they open their five-game series versus the New York Rangers on Aug. 1 for the NHL's 24-team format to crown a 2019-20 Stanley Cup champion. 

Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton crushes season's first home run 459 feet

Yankees DH Giancarlo Stanton didn't wait long to deliver what will go down as one of the most memorable home runs of a pandemic-shortened season.

Twitter reacts to awful first pitch tossed by Dr. Fauci

Among the hot takes, "Dr. Fauci missed by exactly 6 feet on his first pitch."

Radio legend Mike Francesa retires from WFAN again

Mike Francesa is retiring from New York's WFAN again. This time, though, there will be no "back afta this."  

Dodgers place LHP Clayton Kershaw on IL with sore back

Dustin May, 22 years old, will take the bump in place of the injured Kershaw.

Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka to wear protective insert after line drive incident

Whenever veteran New York Yankees righty Masahiro Tanaka makes his debut during the pandemic-shortened MLB season, he'll have some extra protection.

Report: Matt Harvey close to joining Royals

Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Harvey had been linked with the Toronto Blue Jays and a potential move to Korea Baseball Organization. 

Portland's Carmelo Anthony drops audible f-bomb during scrimmage

With under three minutes to play in the first quarter of Thursday's scrimmage, Carmelo Anthony feared a teammate may try to take a rebound from his personal stat sheet.

Report: MLBPA accepts MLB request for expanding playoffs to 16 teams

The MLBPA approving this request would lead one to believe MLB will look to make playoff expansion a common occurrence beyond 2020.

Kentucky faculty members ask for renaming of Rupp Arena

Adolph Rupp, for whom the arena is named, refused to sign a Black player until six years after the university integrated athletic teams.

Red Sox's Eduardo Rodriguez out at least a week due to coronavirus complications

Fortunately, the 27-year-old lefty, who went 19-6 last season. still isn't testing positive for the virus.

Nationals' Juan Soto will miss Opening Day after positive coronavirus test

Soto missed the first two weeks of spring training 2.0 due to undisclosed reasons. The 21-year-old hit .282 with 34 home runs and 110 RBI in 150 games last season.

Could NFL training camps begin remotely?

As the target date for training camps draws incredibly close, the NFL still has plenty of unanswered questions ahead of an unprecedented 2020 campaign.

Mets hitting coach Chili Davis may not rejoin team due to coronavirus

Assistant hitting coach Tom Slater is serving as Davis' temporary in-person replacement. 

Atlanta United intends to permit fans amid pandemic

With Atlanta eliminated from the MLS is Back tournament held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida, club president Darren Eales emailed season ticket holders about the third tier of an MLS season unlike any other.

Nine arrests made amid Liverpool title celebrations

Klopp passionately asked supporters to commemorate the occasion at home both before and after the match versus Chelsea. 

Alabama plans to start high school football on time

The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Central Board of Control has approved plans for sports to start on time in the state as of July 22.

Angels' Mike Trout confirms he'll play in 2020 despite COVID-19 concerns

Mike Trout said simple words Angels fans have been longing to hear: "I'm playing."

NFL officials reportedly won't attend training camps

This means that members of the NFL Referees Association won't work on the field until Week 1 of the regular season, assuming the campaign gets underway, as planned.

Jurgen Klopp to Liverpool fans: We'll party 'when this bulls---t virus is gone'

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reminded supporters to remain safe and at home as they celebrate the club's first top-flight title in 30 years.

MLB trying to expand playoffs before Opening Day first pitch?

The MLB and MLBPA are working last-minute negotiations to potentially expand the playoff format from 10 to 16 clubs for the 2020 season.

Pac-12 China game between Washington, Tulane canceled

The Washington Huskies and Tulane Green Wave were scheduled to meet in China this November, but the Pac-12 announced in an official statement that contest won't occur even if basketball seasons get underway this fall.