Ryan Lasko injury update: A's prospect says leg sensation is returning
Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko said he has regained some sensation in his legs after breaking his back in a Double-A outfield collision.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko injury news took an encouraging turn Monday, when the 24-year-old outfielder said on Instagram that feeling has returned in parts of his legs after he broke his back in a collision with a teammate during a Double-A game.
According to ESPN News Services, Lasko underwent surgery on June 30 for a fractured C6-C7 vertebra after the play in Frisco, Texas. The injury happened while Lasko and Midland teammate Devin Taylor both went after a fly ball.
Lasko stayed motionless on the field after the collision, ESPN News Services reported. Four weeks later, he told followers he has made progress in his recovery.
What happened to Ryan Lasko?
Lasko was playing for the Double-A Midland RockHounds, an Athletics affiliate, when he and Taylor collided while diving for the same fly ball in Frisco. ESPN News Services reported that Lasko broke his back and later had surgery to address the fractured C6-C7 vertebra.
The report did not give a timetable for his baseball return. Lasko’s update focused on his physical progress since surgery and the support he said has helped him during recovery.
What did Ryan Lasko say about his recovery?
In an Instagram story Monday, Lasko said he is feeling better and now has sensation from his feet to his knees. He also said he is experiencing involuntary movements in his legs, along with some feeling in the sides of his thighs, hamstrings and back.
Lasko added that his hands are also improving. He said he currently has about 75% use of his left hand and about 50% use of his right hand.
He said he was happy with the progress and thanked people for the support he has received, saying it has helped him get up each day and keep working through the recovery process.
Who is Ryan Lasko?
The Athletics picked Lasko in the second round of the 2023 amateur draft out of Rutgers. He has been playing this season for Double-A Midland.
Before the injury, Lasko was hitting .209 with six home runs, 34 RBIs and a .635 OPS for Midland, according to ESPN News Services.
Lasko also reached Triple-A Las Vegas last year, appearing in 13 games. He later played 21 games in the Arizona Fall League, which features promising prospects, and hit .357 with nine stolen bases.
The Associated Press contributed to ESPN’s report.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.