A's Prospect Ryan Lasko Navigates Life After Career-Altering Injury

WEST ORANGE, N.J. — Ryan Lasko, once a promising outfielder for the Athletics organization, is now engaged in a strenuous daily regimen of physical therapy, relearning basic skills after a severe neck injury left him paralyzed.

Lasko, a 2023 second-round draft pick, was playing center field for the A's Midland team on June 30 when he and right fielder Devin Taylor collided while pursuing a ball. The impact fractured Lasko's C6 and C7 vertebrae, resulting in tetraplegia, the loss of motor and sensory function in all four limbs and his torso. He underwent emergency surgery for spinal decompression and stabilization and wore a neck brace for months.

Now 24, Lasko faces the daunting reality of starting from scratch. His days are filled with repetitive exercises, such as using his hands to lift his legs onto a training table or to transfer from his wheelchair to a bed. He describes the process as akin to a grieving period, but his spirits have improved as he adapts to his new lifestyle.

"I don’t really have a choice to do anything else, so I think that’s what keeps me going," Lasko told The Associated Press in his first interview since the accident. He considers any sensation in his legs or feet a significant victory.

At the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Lasko spent more than two months performing hundreds of repetitions to regain functional abilities. Dr. Jeremiah Nieves, a rehabilitation physician specializing in spinal cord injuries, noted Lasko's rapid progress, attributing it to his background as an elite athlete. Nieves expressed optimism but tempered it with realism, emphasizing that this is only the early phase of recovery.

Lasko's family and girlfriend, Alli Graff, have been central to his support system. Graff moved to Texas to be with him before the injury and stayed by his side throughout his hospitalization and rehabilitation, even participating in training for care partners to assist him and empower his independence. Graff described their current situation as their "new normal."

Despite the challenges, Lasko has reassured his teammate Devin Taylor, who felt guilt over the collision. Lasko maintains it was no one's fault. The Athletics organization confirmed that Lasko's medical costs related to the work-related injury will be covered by Major League Baseball's insurance for the remainder of his life.

Lasko plans to return to Rutgers University in the spring to complete his criminal justice degree. While acknowledging the difficulty of seeing his baseball career end, he expressed a desire to achieve independence and focus on his relationships and future plans, including trips with Graff.

He views his rehabilitation sessions, which lasted about three hours daily, as similar to the grind of being a ballplayer. Lasko has experienced difficult days and moments of self-pity but has persevered with the help of Graff and the Kessler staff. He remains confident in his ability to walk again and perform many of the activities he once did.

Lasko was discharged from Kessler as an outpatient on Sept. 16, exactly two months after his arrival. He continues his therapy a few days a week, embracing each small success as a "big win" on his journey toward recovery.