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One of the top athletics prospects still can’t feel his lower half after back surgery was needed to repair broken vertebrae 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 teammate in right field also barreled down to catch the ball. They both gave up their bodies for the potential catch, but collided as they hit the turf.
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Ryan Lasko of the Athletics throws a 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, was able to get up and field the rolling ball that split the two defenders, but Lasko was left on the ground in a pretty nasty crash.
After he was carted off, 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 was in stable condition.
However, due to swelling, Lasko still has no feeling in his lower half yet.
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Ryan Lasko of the Midland Rockhounds poses for a picture during the Midland Rockhounds photo day at Momentum Bank Ballpark on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Midland, Texas. (John E. Moore III/MLB Photos)
Athletic director Mark Kotsay discussed Lasko’s injury Wednesday, saying “there’s hope for the feeling to 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 taken by the Athletics in the 2023 MLB Draft in the second round.
While he opened the season in Double-A, Lasko joined Triple-A Las Vegas last season.
Ryan Lasko of the Athletics strikes out 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)
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This year, Lasko is hitting .209/.275/.360 with six home runs, five triples and 34 RBI.
