Ryan Lasko regains feeling in parts of his legs after severe spinal injury
American baseball prospect Ryan Lasko shared encouraging news about his recovery on July 27 after suffering a severe cervical spine injury four weeks earlier in a collision with teammate Devin Taylor. The 24-year-old outfielder for the Midland RockHounds, the Athletics' Double-A affiliate, said he could once again feel the area from his feet to his knees and was also noticing some return of sensation in his thighs, the backs of his upper legs and his back. According to his social media post, he is also experiencing numerous involuntary leg movements, while function in his hands is gradually returning. He estimated that he can use his left hand at approximately 75 percent and his right hand at around 50 percent.
This is the first such specific public description of neurological progress following the spinal decompression and stabilization surgery Lasko underwent on June 30. The latest information represents an important improvement compared with the first days after the accident, when the Athletics announced that he had no feeling in the lower half of his body. However, neither Lasko nor the club has released a medical prognosis, the severity classification of the spinal cord injury or a timeframe in which further recovery might be expected. The return of some sensation is therefore an encouraging sign, but it does not provide a reliable basis for assessing the long-term outcome or a possible return to professional baseball.
Progress four weeks after surgery
Lasko said in his message that he currently feels significantly better and is pleased with the progress he has made so far. He especially thanked his family, teammates, fans and everyone who had sent him messages of support, saying that such help makes his daily work during rehabilitation easier. According to an Associated Press report and information published by the Midland Reporter-Telegram, he described sensation extending from his feet toward his knees, occasional sensations along the sides of his thighs and in the hamstring area, as well as feeling in parts of his back. At the same time, he emphasized that he has many involuntary movements in his legs, which is not the same as having full control over movement.
An important part of his post concerned the function of his arms and hands. Injuries to the lower cervical spine can affect the nerve pathways associated with the arms and hands, so Lasko's estimate that he can use his left hand at around three-quarters of its normal capacity and his right hand at approximately half is one of the key indicators he chose to share with the public. He did not specify which movements he can perform, how strong his grip is or how much these estimates change from day to day. His percentages should therefore be understood as a personal description of his current condition, rather than as a standardized medical finding.
Collision during a game in Texas
The severe injury occurred on June 30 during the Midland RockHounds' road game against the Frisco RoughRiders in Frisco, in the U.S. state of Texas. Lasko was playing center field, while Taylor was covering right field. Both ran toward a high fly ball hit into the space between their positions and attempted to make a diving catch, after which they collided forcefully. Footage released by MLB showed that the contact occurred at full speed, during a play in which both players were focused on the ball.
Lasko remained lying on the field after the collision and did not move immediately. According to MLB's report, medical personnel treated him for approximately ten minutes before he was carried off the field and transported to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano. Examinations revealed fractures of the C6 and C7 vertebrae, located in the lower part of the cervical spine. That same evening, he underwent decompression and stabilization surgery, a procedure intended to reduce pressure on neural structures and mechanically secure the injured segment of the spine.
The Athletics announced after the surgery that Lasko was in stable condition, but that he had no feeling in the lower part of his body at that time. Club manager Mark Kotsay explained that swelling around the injured area was making the early assessment more difficult. Doctor Jonathan Poggi, who performed the surgery according to MLB, expressed hope that sensation could return, while warning that the process could take a long time. From the beginning, the club has avoided making firm promises, emphasizing that his response to treatment and rehabilitation will become clearer only over time.
Devin Taylor did not suffer a comparable injury and was able to stand up and continue the play after the collision. In the days following the accident, members of the RockHounds spoke about the emotional impact the incident had on the team, but also about Lasko's strong mental response. Midland manager Gregorio Petit told local media that the player was positive and focused on recovery during hospital visits. There was no public blaming of Taylor; the collision was described as an unfortunate outcome of an aggressive but routine defensive play involving two outfielders.
Rehabilitation near his family in New Jersey
After his initial treatment in Texas, Lasko was transferred to the Jackson area of New Jersey, where he grew up and where his family can assist him every day. Kotsay said during an interview on the Power Alley program on MLB Network Radio that the young player is undergoing physical therapy at a rehabilitation center. The Athletics manager described the amount of energy Lasko puts into his exercises as a reflection of his personality and competitive character. At the same time, he emphasized that there is a long road ahead and that persistence will be particularly important in a process that has no simple timetable.
Rehabilitation following a serious cervical spine injury is generally tailored to the individual, the neurological findings, the stability of the spine and changes that appear over time. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons states that surgery may be necessary to decompress the spinal cord and stabilize the spine, but that surgery alone cannot guarantee the return of lost function. After acute treatment, attention shifts to preserving joint mobility, strengthening the functions that remain available, preventing complications and gradually developing the greatest possible level of independence. Lasko's exact program has not been made public, so it is not known which exercises he is performing or what short-term goals his doctors and therapists have set.
His family and the club are currently releasing only information they consider appropriate to share. Such caution is especially important because a person's condition after a spinal cord injury can change, while early progress does not necessarily follow a linear pattern. The available statements have not indicated whether the injury has been classified as complete or incomplete, nor has a detailed neurological examination been published. Without that information, it is impossible to responsibly assess his future mobility, level of independence or athletic capabilities.
Why the C6 and C7 vertebrae are a particularly sensitive area
The C6 and C7 vertebrae are located near the bottom of the cervical spine, above the transition to the thoracic region. At that level, the spinal cord passes through the spinal canal and carries nerve signals between the brain and a large part of the body. The consequences of trauma depend on whether only the bones, ligaments and discs have been damaged or whether the spinal cord has also been affected, as well as on the extent of pressure, swelling and secondary damage. For this reason, two people with fractures at a similar anatomical level can experience very different symptoms and courses of recovery.
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons emphasizes that cervical spinal cord injuries are among the most severe traumatic injuries and often require individually planned surgical and rehabilitative care. Decompression is intended to remove or reduce pressure on the spinal cord and nerve structures, while stabilization is designed to prevent further movement of the injured vertebrae. However, functional recovery depends on numerous factors that cannot be determined from the names of the injured vertebrae alone. This is precisely why professional guidelines emphasize that the patient's neurological status, the type of bone and ligament damage and the degree of compression must be evaluated together.
Lasko's return of sensation in parts of his legs and torso is certainly a clinically significant change compared with the initial condition described after surgery. However, the public does not have the information needed to interpret that progress beyond what the player himself has stated. Involuntary leg movements do not necessarily mean that voluntary control has returned, while the sensation of touch or pressure is not the same as muscle strength, balance or the ability to walk. The safest assessment is that his recovery is showing positive signs, while the extent and permanence of future progress remain uncertain.
The “22 Strong” message spread throughout the organization
On July 22, the Athletics organized a collective support campaign called “22 Strong,” named after the number 22 Lasko wears on his jersey. Players from the major-league team and members of the club's developmental affiliates appeared before their games wearing shirts with his name and number. MLB reported that the message was present throughout the entire system, from the lowest levels of Minor League Baseball to the highest-level roster. General manager David Forst said it was powerful to see Lasko's name throughout the organization and that the campaign demonstrated how connected the clubs are during a serious personal crisis involving one of their players.
Around the same time, Kotsay also shared a photograph of Lasko with his family in New Jersey, along with a message saying that he was in good spirits. Such gestures carry no medical significance, but they play an important role in the long recovery of an athlete whose daily life has suddenly changed. Professional players in developmental leagues normally live according to precise schedules of training, travel and games, while rehabilitation after a spinal injury brings uncertainty and the repetition of small steps. Lasko has repeatedly emphasized in his posts that messages of support help him continue working from day to day.
The solidarity also included the communities he passed through before entering professional baseball. He is from Jackson, New Jersey, played for Jackson Memorial High School and later developed into one of Rutgers University's standout players. Local baseball communities, former teammates and fans joined in sending messages of support after the accident. For the Athletics organization, the case is also a reminder that a developmental system is not merely a sporting operation, but a network of players, coaches, doctors and families that must respond when competition suddenly becomes secondary.
From Rutgers to Athletics prospect status
Lasko was one of the most prominent Rutgers college players of his generation. Over three seasons, he recorded a .314 batting average with a total OPS of .988, and the university states that he was named to the second All-America team in 2022 and selected as a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award. The Athletics selected him with the 41st overall pick in the second round of the 2023 draft. Rutgers announced at the time that he had become the program's highest-drafted player since Todd Frazier, who was selected with the 34th pick in 2007.
His professional development included appearances for the Stockton Ports, Lansing Lugnuts, Las Vegas Aviators and Midland RockHounds. During 2025, he also briefly played at the Triple-A level for Las Vegas, before posting a .357 batting average and nine stolen bases in 21 games in the Arizona Fall League, a competition featuring numerous top prospects. Before the injury, MLB Pipeline ranked him among the notable talents in the Athletics' system, particularly because of his defensive ability, speed and throwing power. That profile suggested a player who had a realistic opportunity to continue progressing toward the highest level.
During the 2026 season, he appeared in 73 games for Midland. According to official Minor League Baseball statistics, he had a .209 batting average, six home runs, 34 RBIs and five stolen bases. After the injury, the RockHounds initially placed him on the seven-day injured list, while the team's current official roster lists him on the 60-day injured list. That administrative designation does not represent a medical prognosis, but means that he is unavailable for competition during the prescribed period.
A return to baseball remains a hope, not a set deadline
As early as July 2, two days after surgery, Lasko said that a lengthy process lay ahead of him, but that he also hoped to return to what he loves. Four weeks later, his new post provided concrete signs of progress, but did not change the fundamental fact: there is currently no publicly announced timetable for a return to training or games. The Athletics have not presented a sports rehabilitation plan, while Kotsay's statements have focused on Lasko's health, work ethic and the support he is receiving, not on a competitive schedule.
In this situation, returning to baseball would involve much more than the healing of the fractures. An outfielder must be able to run, change direction suddenly, throw, hit, react to a ball in flight and safely withstand contact with the ground. Before considering those demands, doctors and therapists must assess the stability of the spine, neurological function, strength, coordination and the ability to perform basic everyday activities. There are no public indications that Lasko has reached a stage at which such a sporting return could be planned.
The most important news on July 28 is therefore not a possible date for his return, but the fact that, after the initial loss of sensation, he has reported noticeable changes in his legs, torso and hands. His recovery is continuing in New Jersey with his family, a specialist rehabilitation team and the support of the entire Athletics organization. The next steps will depend on medical findings and his body's response to therapy, while the club and the player are maintaining a cautious tone for now. Baseball remains a long-term hope, while the current objective is every new improvement in function and independence.
Sources:
- Associated Press / theScore – Lasko's latest update on the return of sensation and hand function (link)
- MLB.com – the Athletics' official report on the collision, C6-C7 fractures and surgery (link)
- MLB.com – report on the “22 Strong” support campaign throughout the Athletics organization (link)
- Midland Reporter-Telegram – details of rehabilitation in New Jersey and statements from Mark Kotsay (link)
- Minor League Baseball – Ryan Lasko's official profile, statistics, status and transactions (link)
- Rutgers University Athletics – information on his college career and selection in the 2023 MLB Draft (link)
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons – professional information on spinal cord injuries, decompression and spinal stabilization (link)