Ryan Lasko, the Athletics prospect who was left paralyzed from the chest down after a horrific on-field collision, has officially been released from the hospital. More than two months after the injury, Lasko shared a video Wednesday, pushing himself in a wheelchair out of the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey, telling everyone, “Thankful for all of these amazing people who’ve helped me through this process. Excited to finally be going home!”
The Collision That Changed Everything
This isn’t just about a release; it’s about what Lasko has overcome. Think back to June 30. Lasko was playing for Double-A Midland in Frisco, Texas, doing his thing in the outfield, when he collided with a teammate. Just like that, his world turned upside down. He suffered a cervical vertebrae fracture that demanded “spinal decompression and stabilization surgery” at a hospital in Plano. At the time, Athletics manager Mark Kotsay couldn’t even get a “definitive statement saying he’s not going to regain feeling in his lower half” from Lasko’s doctor. That’s how serious it was, folks. Paralysis from the chest down. It’s a gut punch for anyone, especially a 24-year-old prospect taken in the second round of the 2023 draft, who was ranked the Athletics’ No. 18 prospect with 73 Double-A games under his belt in 2026.
A Recovery Nobody Saw Coming (Almost)
But this kid, Lasko, is built different. Despite the initial prognosis, he started fighting back. We heard updates: by July 27, he was already reporting “sensation from my feet up to my knees, along with a lot of involuntary leg movements.” He also had “sensation in the side of my thighs, hamstring and back.” And get this: he had 75 percent usage of his left hand and 50 percent of his right hand. That’s not just progress, that’s defiance! Fast forward to his hospital release, and the updates are even more incredible. Janie McCauley of the Associated Press reports Lasko now has “some feeling and tingling sensations” in his legs and feet. His doctors are genuinely “optimistic he could make a full recovery and walk again in time.” This is what hope looks like, right?
Lasko’s not entirely out of the woods yet. He’s heading home, but he’ll be staying for two months at a hotel near the hospital to keep up with treatment. It’s a long road, sure, but after everything he’s been through, hearing about “some feeling and tingling sensations” and doctors being “optimistic he could make a full recovery” makes you wanna stand up and cheer. This isn’t just a physical battle, it’s a testament to incredible spirit. We’ll be watching for every update as he continues this amazing journey.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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