Oakland Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko is in stable condition following spinal decompression and stabilization surgery for a C6-C7 vertebra fracture sustained during a collision in a Double-AA Midland game earlier this week. The 24-year-old outfielder currently has no feeling in his legs.
The injury occurred Tuesday while Lasko was playing center field for Midland. He and right fielder Devin Taylor collided while pursuing a ball in the gap. Lasko remained down for approximately 10 minutes before being taken off the field on a cart and transported to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano.
Dr. Jonathan Poggi performed the surgery, and while the hope is for Lasko to regain feeling, it could be a significant amount of time. Fans who witnessed the incident noted that Lasko gave a thumbs-up as he was being removed from the field.
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay addressed the situation before Wednesday's game, expressing optimism. "There was not a definitive statement saying that he was not going to regain feeling in his lower half," Kotsay said. "Send prayers to him, his family, to the teammate and the team. It's a trying time for them. It's an emotional time for them."
Lasko was selected by the Athletics in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Rutgers University. He participated in the team's big league camp earlier this spring.