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Ryan Lasko, No. 18 in the Athletics, is on the mend after fracturing his C6-C7 vertebrae.
Lasko suffered the injury during a horrific collision in a game earlier this month. While playing center field for Double-A Midland, 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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Athletics center fielder Ryan Lasko (93) prepares for a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 23, 2026. (Rick Scuteri/Imagn Images)
However, Lasko said earlier this week that he is “feeling much better” after initially having no feeling in his legs.
“I have a sensation from my feet up to my knees, along with a lot of involuntary leg movement. I’ve also got a sensation in the side of my thighs, hamstrings and back,” Lasko wrote on social media.
Lasko said he has “about 75% use of my left hand and about 50% in my right.”
Athletics’ Ryan Lasko (93) makes a diving catch during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Arizona on March 8, 2026. (Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
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“I am very happy with my progress and once again so grateful for all the love and support. It has continued to help me get up every day and work my hardest,” he added.
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.
This year, Lasko is hitting .209/.275/.360 with six home runs, five triples and 34 RBI.
Oakland Athletics outfielder Ryan Lasko during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona on Nov. 9, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
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