Oakland Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko remains in stable condition after undergoing spinal surgery on Tuesday night. The procedure addressed a fractured C6-C7 vertebra sustained during a Double-A game in Frisco, Texas, which is located approximately 7 miles east of Little Elm.
Lasko, a 24-year-old outfielder for the Double-A Midland team, was involved in a collision with teammate Devin Taylor while attempting to catch a fly ball. Both players dove for the ball, and Lasko lay 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 Wednesday confirming the organization’s support for Lasko and his family. Forst noted 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.
The team is encouraged by medical updates from Dr. Poggi and has committed its medical resources to Lasko’s recovery. Player development director Ed Sprague is traveling to Frisco to provide counseling to players who witnessed the incident.
Lasko was selected by the Athletics in the second round of the 2023 amateur draft out of Rutgers University. He has batted .209 with six home runs and 34 runs batted in for Midland this season, posting a .635 on-base plus slugging percentage. Last year, he appeared in 13 games at Triple-A Las Vegas and played 21 games in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .357 with nine stolen bases.
