PLANO, Texas — Track and field prospect Ryan Lasko was in stable condition after undergoing back surgery Tuesday night following a scary collision with minor league teammate Devin Taylor during a Double-A game in Frisco, Texas.
Dr. Jonathan Poggi performed spinal decompression and stabilization at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano to treat a fractured C6-C7 vertebra.
Lasko is an outfielder for Double-A Midland. He and Taylor dove into each other trying to catch a fly ball, and Lasko remained motionless on the field after the play.
“I have reached out to Ryan’s mom, Patti, to convey my support for the organization and to let her know that we are all in our thoughts and prayers throughout our system,” A’s general manager David Forst said in a statement Wednesday. “We are incredibly grateful to Noah Huff and Audie Merrick, our athletic trainers at Midland, for their actions on the field last night, as well as the Frisco RoughRiders and paramedics at the scene.
“We are encouraged by Dr. Poggi’s reports and news, and we will continue to devote all of our medical staff’s resources to supporting Ryan and his recovery.”
Forst added that director of player development Ed Sprague was traveling to Frisco and counseling will be available to players.
Lasko, 24, was selected by the Athletics in the second round of the 2023 amateur draft out of Rutgers. He batted .209 with six homers, 34 RBIs and a .635 OPS for Midland this season.
Last year, Lasko appeared in 13 games at Triple-A Las Vegas. He also played 21 games in the Arizona Fall League, showing promise, batting .357 with nine stolen bases.