Ryan Lasko, the No. 18 prospect for the Athletics, is in stable condition today after undergoing spinal decompression and stabilization surgery resulting from a C6-C7 vertebra fracture.
Lasko suffered the injury during a horrific collision in a game earlier this week. While playing center field for Double-AA Midland on Tuesday, Lasko and right fielder Devin Taylor collided while going for a ball in the gap.
Lasko, 24, was down for 10 minutes before leaving the field on a cart and going to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, where he underwent surgery.
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The outfielder currently does not have feeling in his legs. Dr. Jonathan Poggi, who performed the surgery, said the hope is that Lasko will regain feeling, although it could take a significant amount of time.
Mark Kotsay offers update on A’s prospect Ryan Lasko
Goodness. What a collision. At first glance, it doesn’t look that bad. But then you slow it down and watch it back, and it’s awful.
Lasko’s neck goes straight into Taylor’s chest/shoulder area, and he immediately goes down. No movement whatsoever. Nothing. Horrifying.
Fans in attendance commented that Lasko did eventually give the thumbs up on the way out, for what it’s worth.
But, clearly, it’s going to be a while before he ever sees a ballfield again.
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A’s manager Mark Kotsay spoke about the collision before Wednesday’s game, saying there was “hope” that Lasko regains feeling in his legs.
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“It’s obviously going to take time,” he added. “But, the positive in the statement from the doctor is that there was not a definitive statement saying that he was not going to regain feeling in his lower half. 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 a second-round pick by the A’s in the 2023 MLB Draft out of Rutgers University. He spent some time with the A’s this spring in big league camp earlier this year.