Oakland Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko broke his back in a frightening collision with a minor league teammate and now faces a "lengthy" recovery, though he hopes to return to baseball.
The 22-year-old underwent surgery Tuesday night at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano for a spinal decompression and stabilization procedure to address a fractured C6-C7 vertebra. The injury occurred when Lasko collided with Double-A Midland teammate Devin Taylor during a game in Frisco, Texas.
Lasko, a 2023 second-round draft pick out of Rutgers, posted on social media Thursday that he is grateful for the medical team that performed the surgery. He did not provide a timeline for return but expressed optimism about resuming his playing career.
The incident highlights the inherent risks of baseball's outfield collisions, with players often converging at full speed on fly balls. Similar injuries have prompted MLB to implement rules limiting collisions and protective procedures.
No further details have been released about Taylor's condition or whether he sustained any injury in the collision. The Athletics have not issued an official statement beyond confirming the surgery.