Oakland Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko remains in stable condition after undergoing spinal surgery on Tuesday night. The procedure was necessary to address a fractured C6-C7 vertebra sustained during a Double-A game in Frisco, Texas, which is located approximately 6 miles northeast of The Colony.
The injury occurred when Lasko and teammate Devin Taylor collided while attempting to catch a flyball. Both players dove for the ball, and Lasko remained motionless on the field immediately after the play. Dr. Jonathan Poggi performed the spinal decompression and stabilization operation at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano.
Athletics general manager David Forst issued a statement on Wednesday expressing the organization's support for Lasko and his family. Forst noted that he has been in contact with Lasko's mother, Patti, to convey the team's thoughts and prayers. He specifically thanked Midland athletic trainers Noah Huff and Audy Merrick for their immediate response, as well as the Frisco RoughRiders staff and local paramedics.
Forst stated that the organization is encouraged by medical updates from Dr. Poggi and will continue to allocate resources toward Lasko's recovery. Player development director Ed Sprague is traveling to Frisco to provide counseling to players who witnessed the incident.
Lasko, 24, was selected by the Athletics in the second round of the 2023 amateur draft out of Rutgers University. He currently plays outfield for Double-A Midland, where he is batting .209 with six home runs, 34 runs batted in, and a .635 on-base plus slugging percentage this season. Last year, he appeared in 13 games at Triple-A Las Vegas and played 21 games in the Arizona Fall League, where he batted .357 with nine stolen bases.
