NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
One of the Athletics’ top prospects still can’t feel his lower half after spinal surgery was needed to repair a fractured vertebra following a scary collision with a teammate in Double-A ball.
Ryan Lasko, a 24-year-old outfielder in the Athletics system, was injured during a game with the Double-A Midland RockHounds after diving to catch a ball while playing center field.
The problem was that Lasko’s right teammate was also rushing to catch the ball. They both abandoned their bodies for possible capture, but collided hitting the turf.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Ryan Lasko of the Athletics throws a jumping pitch during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at HoHoKam Stadium on March 8, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
Lasko’s teammate Devin Taylor managed to get up and field the ball that split the two defenders, but Lasko remained down in what was a pretty ugly crash.
After being transported, Lasko was found to have fractured his C6-C7 vertebra, according to MLB.com. He required spinal decompression and stabilization surgery to repair the injury, and he was in stable condition.
However, due to swelling, Lasko still has no sensation in his lower half.
REDS’ DANE MYERS WAS CARRIED OFF THE FIELD AFTER CRASHING INTO THE WALL MAKING AN ACROBATIC HIT AGAINST THE BREWERS
Ryan Lasko of the Midland Rockhounds poses for a photo during the Midland Rockhounds Photo Day at Momentum Bank Ballpark on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Midland, Texas. (Photos by John E. Moore III/MLB)
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay addressed Lasko’s injury Wednesday, saying “there’s hope that feeling will come back.”
Lasko is one of the Athletics’ top prospects, entering the season as the franchise’s No. 18 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. He was selected by the Athletics in the 2023 MLB Draft in the second round.
While he opened the season in Double-A, Lasko reached Triple-A Las Vegas last season.
Ryan Lasko of the Athletics bats during the second inning of a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Hohokam Stadium on March 8, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Diamond Images/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
This year, Lasko is slashing .209/.275/.360 with six homers, five triples and 34 RBIs.
